EP2407260A1 - Device and method for melt metering and casting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The melt metering device comprises a melt reception unit movable between a melt receiving location and a melt discharge location and designed to remove a dosable quantity of casting melt material from a melt bath at the melt receiving location and then transfer and deliver to the casting device at the melt discharge location, where the melt reception unit is formed by an evacuatable dosing container (1), an evacuating device coupled with the container for evacuating the dosing container, and a controllable locking unit for selectively opening and closing a melt opening (4) of the container. The melt metering device comprises a melt reception unit movable between a melt receiving location and a melt discharge location and designed to remove a dosable quantity of casting melt material from a melt bath at the melt receiving location and then transfer and deliver to the casting device at the melt discharge location, where the melt reception unit is formed by an evacuatable dosing container (1), an evacuating device coupled with the dosing container for evacuating the dosing container, and a controllable locking unit for selectively opening and closing a melt opening (4) of the dosing container. The locking unit contains a longitudinally movable locking plugs arranged in the dosing container and the melt opening is provided in a bottom area of the dosing container. The melt opening is formed by a tubular support area projecting from the bottom area of the dosing container. The melt metering device includes a controllable protective gas impacting unit (9) for controllably impacting the dosing container with a protective gas. The dosing container has a melt bath-immersion sensor, whose sensor signal forms a control signal for the evacuating device, the protective gas impacting unit and/or locking unit, and a melt fill level sensor, whose sensor signal forms a control signal for the evacuating device, the protective gas impacting unit and/or locking unit. The evacuating device contains a vacuum pump (7) or a controllably operated piston-cylinder-unit. The melt metering device has a transfer unit, to which the dosing container is movably coupled between the melt receiving location and the melt discharge location. Independent claims are included for: (1) a method for metering melt for a casting machine; and (2) a metal die-casting machine.

Description

The invention relates to a melt metering device for a casting device, wherein the melt metering device has a melt receiving means which is movable between a melt receiving location and a melt discharge location and is adapted to remove a meterable amount of cast melt material from a melt bath at the melt picking location to the melt discharge location of the pouring device and to deliver thereon to a melt metering process practicable with such a device and to a casting machine equipped with such a melt metering device. Such devices and methods come e.g. in metal die casting machines for metering the molten metal to be cast used.

There are known Schmelzezudosiervorrichtungen of this type, in which the melt receiving means is formed by a ladle or dipper, is absorbed by the immersion in a molten bath casting melt and then to a Schmelzeabgabeort or casting is transferred to deliver there the melt material. The ladle can be manually operated or coupled to a mechanical transfer unit that actuates the ladle. During transfer, the surface of the melt received in the ladle is exposed to atmospheric air.

Alternatively, melt metering systems are in use in which the melt material is conveyed by a mechanical pump or by pneumatic displacement from the melt bath of a melting furnace into a downwardly inclined transfer pipe in which it flows to the melt discharge location. However, these systems are relatively complex, and the melt material cools relatively by the flow along the transfer tube, if no appropriate countermeasures are taken.

The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung of the aforementioned type and a feasible by this Schmelzezudosierverfahrens and equipped with this casting machine with which the casting melt material can be transferred from a molten bath metered to a delivery point in an advantageous manner, with undesirable oxidation effects of transferred melt material completely or at least largely avoided.

The invention solves this problem by providing a melt metering device with the features of claim 1, a Schmelzezudosierverfahrens with the features of claim 10 and a casting machine with the features of claim 15. Advantageous developments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims.

In the melt metering device according to the invention, the melt receiving means is formed by an evacuatable metering container. The melt metering device has an evacuation device for evacuating the metering container. By evacuating the metering container, it is avoided that the casting melt material received in the metering container is exposed to atmospheric air or another atmosphere which is detrimental to the melt. Thus, the melt material in the evacuated, closed dosing can be transferred safely and chemically unaffected to Schmelzeltgabeort or casting. The use of the evacuated and thus inevitably closed metering container also minimizes heat losses for the transported melt material, the metering can optionally be provided with a thermal insulation.

In one development of the invention, the melt metering device has a controllable closure means for selectively opening and closing a melt opening of the metering container. In this way, casting melt material can be introduced into the dosing container in a readily metered manner or released from it. Depending on requirements, the closure opening closable by the closure means can be used only for introducing the melt material into the dosing, only for discharging the melt material from the dosing or both for introduction as well as for discharging. In the first two alternatives, another melt opening can take on the other function.

In one embodiment of the invention, the melt opening is provided in a bottom region of the dosing container, and the controllable closure means includes a longitudinally movably arranged in the dosing container sealing plug. This arrangement has the advantage that the dosing container for receiving melt material only has to be lowered with its bottom area to the melt bath in order to Suction melt from the melt bath into the dosing tank via the melt opening. In addition, for discharging the melt from the metering container, only the closure means needs to release the melt opening without the metering container having to be moved, for example, tilted into a discharge position. In a further embodiment, the melt opening is formed by a projecting from the bottom portion of the dosing, tubular nozzle area. The dosing then need not be immersed in its entire width of the bottom portion, but only with its nozzle portion in the melt bath to suck melt into the dosing. The nozzle area can be realized with a comparatively small diameter, whereby tear effects of the melt surface layer of the melt bath can be kept to a minimum.

In a further development of the invention, the melt metering device has a controllable protective gas loading means, by means of which the metering container can be supplied in a controllable manner with a customary protective gas, as e.g. is customary for a protective gas atmosphere in a melting furnace above the melt bath. The shielding gas thereby fulfills its customary protective gas function for the melt material in the dosing tank and, in addition, can assist the discharge of the melt from the dosing tank at the melt discharge point in the event of overpressure application.

In one development of the invention, the metering container is assigned a melt bath immersion sensor whose sensor signal forms a control signal for the evacuation device, the melt opening closure means and / or the inert gas application means. The immersion sensor detects whether or how far the metering container is immersed in the melt bath for the purpose of receiving melt material. The detection result can then be used to control the evacuation device, the Closing means and / or Schutzgasbeaufschlagungsmittels be used.

In one development of the invention, the metering container is assigned a melt level sensor, the sensor signal of which forms a control signal for the evacuation device, the melt-opening closure means of the metering container and / or the inert gas-applying agent. This sensor detects the level of the melt received in the dosing container or whether it has reached, undershot or exceeded a certain threshold. The detection result can then be used for a corresponding control of the Evakuiereinrichtung, the closure means and / or the Schutzgasbeaufschlagungsmittels.

In a further development of the invention, the evacuation device includes a vacuum pump or a controlled piston-cylinder unit confirmed. Both alternatives enable the desired evacuation of the dosing with relatively little effort.

In one development of the invention, the melt metering device includes a transfer unit to which the metering container is movably coupled between the melt receiving location and the melt discharge location. In this case, the transfer unit can be designed so that it handles the entire handling of the dosing to and during the absorption of melt material from the melt, for transfer to the Schmelzeabgabeort and for there delivering the desired metered amount of melt material.

The process according to the invention is carried out with the melt metering device according to the invention.

In a further development of this method, the melt-opening closure means is controlled into an open position for receiving melt material from the melt bath into the metering container. In addition, the Schutzgasbeaufschlagung is disabled, and the Evakuiereinrichtung is activated. As a result, the protective gas is withdrawn from the dosing and sucked melt material into the dosing.

In a development of the invention, the taking up of melt material from the melt bath into the metering container is terminated after a predefinable period of time or upon reaching a predefinable, detected melt fill level in the metering container, with the melt opening closure means of the metering container being controlled into a closed position. This advantageously makes it easy to pick up and transfer a precisely metered amount of melt material from the melt bath to the discharge location.

In one embodiment of the invention, the evacuating device is kept activated after completion of receiving melt material from the melt bath into the dosing container with the melt opening closure means held closed until a melt discharge process begins. This allows degassing of the melt received in the metering container during its transport to the delivery location.

In one development of the invention, the melt-opening closure means is controlled to an open position for discharging melt material from the metering, and the Schutzgasbeaufschlagung is activated. As a result, the melted material can be rapidly discharged from the dosing tank with inert gas pressure and possibly by gravity.

A die casting machine according to the invention is equipped with the melt metering device according to the invention. This may in particular be a metal diecasting machine wherein the processed metal material is e.g. Aluminum, magnesium or zinc can be.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Ansicht einer Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung mit einem evakuierbaren Dosierbehälter in Längsschnittdarstellung und mit einer Vakuumpumpe als Evakuiereinrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 1 für eine Variante der Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung von Fig. 1 mit einer Kolben-Zylinder-Einheit als Evakuiereinrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Schnittansicht eines hier interessierenden Teils einer Metalldruckgießmaschine mit einer Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung nach Art von Fig. 1 oder 2,

Fig. 4

ein schematisches Flussdiagramm eines mit den gezeigten Vorrichtungen durchführbaren Schmelzezudosierverfahrens,

Fig. 5

eine ausschnittweise Schnittansicht eines unteren Teils des Dosierbehälters von Fig. 1 oder 2 in einer Position zum Einsaugen von Schmelzematerial,

Fig. 6

eine Ansicht entsprechend Fig. 4, jedoch mit dem Dosierbehälter in einer Überführposition zwischen Schmelzeaufnahmeort und Schmelzeabgabeort und

Fig. 7

eine Ansicht entsprechend Fig. 4, jedoch mit dem Dosierbehälter in einer Schmelzeabgabeposition.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described below. Hereby show:

Fig. 1

a schematic view of a Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung with an evacuatable dosing in longitudinal section and with a vacuum pump as Evakuiereinrichtung,

Fig. 2

a representation accordingly Fig. 1 for a variant of the Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung of Fig. 1 with a piston-cylinder unit as Evakuiereinrichtung,

Fig. 3

a schematic sectional view of a relevant here part of a metal die casting machine with a Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung in the manner of Fig. 1 or 2 .

Fig. 4

a schematic flow diagram of a feasible with the devices shown melt metering,

Fig. 5

a fragmentary sectional view of a lower part of the dosing of Fig. 1 or 2 in a position for sucking in melt material,

Fig. 6

a view accordingly Fig. 4 but with the dosing tank in a transfer position between the melt receiving location and the melt discharge location and

Fig. 7

a view accordingly Fig. 4 but with the dosing tank in a melt discharge position.

In the Fig. 1 The melt metering device shown comprises as melt receiving means an evacuatable metering container 1 with a substantially cylindrical container pot 1a and a lid 1b, which is placed on the top cover of the container pot 1a on this and releasably connected thereto. For this purpose, the container pot 1a on its upper side an outwardly projecting annular flange 1c, to which the lid 1b is fastened, for example by means not shown screw, with a ring seal 2 between the pot flange 1c and the lid 1b is inserted. On the lid 1b, an upwardly projecting flange 3 is formed with a suspension opening 3a, through which the dosing container 1 can be pivotally mounted on a transfer unit.

The container pot 1a is funnel-shaped in a bottom region 1d with an inclined bottom funnel portion, from which a tubular nozzle portion 1e protrudes downward, forming a melt opening 4 of the container 1, can be introduced via the melt material into the container 1 and discharged again from this.

The melt opening 4 is associated with a controllable closure means which includes a parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container pot 1a longitudinally movably arranged in the dosing 1 sealing plug 5. By longitudinal movement of the sealing plug, as symbolized by a movement arrow P1, the melt opening 4 of this can optionally be closed or released, wherein Fig. 1 shows the sealing plug 5 in its open the melt opening 4 open position. For actuating the sealing plug 5 is a corresponding linear drive 6, which is attached to the container lid 1 b. The dosing 1 is associated with an Evakuiereinrichtung, which in the example of Fig. 1 a vacuum pump 7 includes. The vacuum pump 7 is connected via a combined vacuum / protective gas line 8 with the interior of the container 1.

Furthermore, the dosing container 1 is associated with a protective gas supply means, which includes a protective gas source 9, which is coupled via a protective gas line 10 to the combined vacuum / protective gas line 8. In the inert gas 10, an optional manual shut-off valve 11 and a controllable solenoid valve 12 is provided.

By appropriate activation of the vacuum pump 7 or the inert gas applying means 9 to 12, an inner space 14 of the dosing container 1 can optionally be evacuated or mixed with a conventional protective gas, e.g. a nitrogen gas, are applied. A portion 8a of the combined vacuum / shield gas line 8 is a flexible line section, e.g. in the form of a corresponding piece of tubing, realized in such a way that the dosing container 1 remains movable to a corresponding extent with respect to the vacuum pump 7 and the protective gas source 9. The metering container 1 can thus unimpeded by its coupling to the vacuum pump 7 and the protective gas source 9 to perform the desired melt transport movement, even if the vacuum pump 7 and the inert gas source 9 are arranged stationary.

The metering container 1 further has a melt level sensor 13 for detecting the melt level in the container 1. In the example shown, the level sensor 13 is formed as a measuring rod of known type, which is fixed to the container lid 1 b and from there down into the container interior 14 extends. Depending on requirements and sensor design, the melt level sensor 13 continuously detects the level of melt material in the container 1 or detected when the melt level has reached or exceeded a certain threshold.

On the outside, a melt bath immersion sensor 15 is arranged on the metering container 1, with which it can be detected whether and / or how deeply the container 1 is immersed in a melt bath of a melting furnace for the purpose of receiving melt material. In the example shown, the sensor 15 is formed by a measuring rod known per se for this purpose, which is fixed at the outer edge of the container lid 1 b outside of the container pot 1a facing down. He extends with his probe part at least down to the level of the pot bottom portion 1d and the tubular inlet / outlet nozzle 1e. Thereby, he can detect the immersion of the inlet / outlet nozzle 1 e in the melt bath.

Fig. 2 shows a variant of the device of Fig. 1 , which differs from this only in the realization of Evakuiereinrichtung. Incidentally, the same reference numerals are used for identical or functionally equivalent components, and it can to this extent on the above description to Fig. 1 to get expelled.

In the embodiment of Fig. 2 The evacuation device comprises a piston-cylinder unit 17 with a cylinder 16, a piston 18 guided axially movably therein and a piston rod 19 extending therefrom on one side, which are led out on an end face of the cylinder 16 and with its associated end to a linear drive 20 is coupled. By the linear drive 20, the piston 18 in the cylinder 16 between a fully inserted end position A, shown by solid lines, and a fully extended position C, symbolized by dashed lines, move, as illustrated by a double arrow P2. About an associated, acting as a limit switch element for the linear actuator 20 sensor element 21 is a predetermined Intermediate position or center position B, also symbolized by dashed lines, detected. By moving back the piston 18, the dosing container 1 is evacuated, for example, when receiving melt material into the container 1. The advancement of the piston 18, for example, take place during the melt discharge process.

Fig. 3 shows a Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung in the manner of Fig. 1 or 2 in use at a casting facility. In the example shown, the pouring device is shown by way of example as a metal die casting machine for casting metal parts, for example of aluminum, magnesium or zinc.

The die casting machine includes in a conventional manner a structure 22 for a mold not shown here with a fixed and a movable mold half, which is actuated by a likewise not shown here closing part, and with a melt supply unit, which in the example shown horizontally arranged casting cylinder 23 with the top of the melt supply port 24 and a casting piston 5 includes. The casting piston 5 is in the casting cylinder 23 between a retracted the supply port 24 for the purpose of melt supply, retracted position, as in Fig. 3 shown, and arranged axially movable in an advanced position, wherein the casting piston 25 by advancing in the advanced end position presses a previously fed into the casting cylinder 23, metered amount of molten metal in the previously closed mold.

Furthermore, the die casting machine includes a melting furnace 26 arranged at a predetermined distance from the casting mold assembly 22. Also, the melting furnace 26 is of a type known per se with a crucible 27 for preparing a melt bath 28 of the respective metal material.

The die casting machine is equipped with a melt metering device of the type of Fig. 1 or 2 equipped to take for the respective casting a predetermined, metered amount of molten metal melt bath 28, to transfer to the supply port 24 of the casting cylinder 23 and deliver there into the casting cylinder 23. For this purpose, the melt metering device has the metering container 1 and a transfer unit 29, to which the metering container 1 is coupled.

Specifically, in the example shown, the transfer unit 29 includes a swivel arm 31 actuated by an associated swivel drive 30, to whose free end the dosing container 1 is articulated via its suspension 3, 3a. The pivot arm 31 performs a symbolized with a dashed curve curve 32, approximately semicircular pivotal movement to the dosing 1 between a melt receiving point in the crucible 27, shown by solid lines, and a Schmelzeabgabeort the casting cylinder 23, shown with dashed lines move. The articulation of the metering container 1 to the pivot arm 31 is chosen so that the metering container 1 as shown relative to the pivot arm 31 is limited rotatable so that it assumes a vertical position at the Schmelzeaufnahmeort in the crucible 27, at the Schmelzeabgabeort above the casting cylinder 23, however, a like shown occupies slight inclination relative to its vertical position. This can be accomplished for example by a sprocket mechanism with a chain 33 between a drive-side sprocket 34 at the hinged end of the pivot arm 31 and a container-side sprocket 35 on the Behälteranlenkung at the free Schwenkarmende, wherein the sprockets 34, 35 are designed with suitably different numbers of teeth, eg Drive-side sprocket 34 with a larger number of teeth than the container-side sprocket 35. With the semicircular pivoting movement of the pivot arm 31 then the dosing 1 synchronously performs a pivotal movement between its vertical position at the Schmelzeaufnahmeort in the crucible 27 and its inclination at the Schmelzeabgabeort above the casting cylinder 23 from.

Hereinafter, with additional reference to the flowchart of Fig. 4 and the fragmentary situational representations of the Fig. 5 to 7 in more detail on the Schmelzezudosiervorgang in the metal die casting machine of Fig. 3 received. When the machine is switched off or during waiting pauses, the transfer unit 29 holds the dosing container 1 in a waiting position, step S1 in FIG Fig. 4 outside the crucible 27 above the smelting furnace 26. In this waiting position, the evacuating device 7, 16 to 21 is deactivated.

As soon as the execution of a casting operation is requested, the transfer unit 29 lowers the dosing container 1 into the crucible 27 until it is recognized by the dip sensor 15 that the dosing container 1 with its inlet / outlet nozzle 1e is immersed in the melt bath 28. Specifically, the immersion sensor 15 detects that it has reached a bath level 28a of the melt bath 28 with its sensor element lying slightly above the level of the lower edge of the nozzle 1e. The corresponding signal of the immersion sensor 15 is used as a control signal by which the closure plug 5 is controlled in its open position, if he has not already been there in the waiting position of the dosing tank 1, the solenoid valve 9 is closed and the Evakuiereinrichtung 7, 16 to 21 is activated. In this case, the solenoid valve 9 is expediently opened before immersing the metering container 1 in the melt bath 28, so that the container interior 14 is subjected to inert gas. In addition, the movement of the swivel arm 31 is stopped by this signal of the immersion sensor 15, that is, the dosing container 1 remains in a melt receiving position according to Fig. 3 , in which he dips into the melt bath 28 only with his neck 1e. This has the advantage that the melt surface layer at the bathroom mirror 28a does not interfere Way is torn open. The disruption of the melt surface layer accordingly remains minimal and in particular much lower than, for example, when immersing a ladle according to the aforementioned conventional ladle technique.

Upon completion of this container immersion process, step S2 in FIG Fig. 4 , a desired metered amount of melt from the melt bath 28 is added to the dosing tank 1, step S3 in FIG Fig. 4 , For this purpose, as mentioned, the Evakuiereinrichtung 7, 16 to 21 is activated, and by the resulting negative pressure in the container 14 melt is sucked 37 via the released from the stopper 5 inlet / outlet port 4 into the container interior 14, as in Fig. 5 with melt flow arrows 36 illustrated. As soon as the level of the melt 37 sucked into the container 1 via the connecting piece 1e which acts as the intake manifold has reached the lower sensor end of the level sensor 13, the level sensor 13 responds to this and outputs a corresponding signal by which the melt receiving operation is terminated. For this purpose, the closure plug 5 is advanced in its opening 4 closing the closed position. As an alternative to this described function of the melt level sensor 13, the dosage of the amount of melt to be received in the container 1 can be effected by setting a predefinable time duration and / or a presettable suction effect of the evacuation device for the melt suction process. For example, the closure plug 5 can be controlled back to its closed position after a predefinable period of time, and / or the suction power of the Evakuiereinrichtung is only activated for a predetermined period of time with a suction of melt into the container 1 sufficient suction. Next, in the embodiment of Fig. 2 Also, the detection signal of the limit switch element 21 are used to control the stopper 5 in its closed position when the piston 18 has reached its center position B.

The activity of Evakuiereinrichtung 7, 16 to 21 is maintained, possibly with a modified suction. In the device of Fig. 1 This can be done, for example, by switching the vacuum pump 7 to a lower suction quantity or suction power. In the device of Fig. 2 the suction effect for receiving the melt 37 is effected by moving the piston 18 back from its advanced end position A to the center position B. This center position of the piston 18 is detected by the limit switch element 21, the detection signal then switches the associated linear drive 20 for the piston rod 19 to lower speed, substantially simultaneously with the closing movement of the sealing plug 5. With its slower movement from the center position B holds in its retracted end position C. the piston 18 then maintains a modified suction.

The thus sucked in a metered amount in the container 1 melt is then transferred to the container 1 with closed inlet / outlet port 4 and evacuation of the gas space in the container interior 14 via the recorded melt to the melt discharge point on the casting cylinder 23, step S4 of Fig. 4 , For this purpose, the closed container 1, which contains the received melt 37, from the transfer unit 29 out of the crucible 27 and into the melt discharge position on the casting cylinder 23 via the supply opening 24 according to FIG Fig. 3 pivoted. Fig. 6 shows the metering 1 in this transfer situation with recorded in metered quantity melt 37 and closed by the stopper 5 inlet / outlet port 4. If as described during the transfer movement of the closed dosing 1, a certain suction power of Evakuiereinrichtung 7, 16 to 21 is maintained, is advantageously a desired degassing of the received in the container 1 melt 37 causes.

Subsequently, a melt discharge operation can be carried out, in which the metered amount of melt 37 is filled from the metering 1 via the supply port 24 with retarded plunger 25 into the casting cylinder 23, see step S5 in Fig. 4 , For this purpose, after the dosing container 1 has reached its dispensing or emptying position above the feed opening 24 of the casting cylinder 23, the closing plug 5 is again controlled to its retracted open position, in which it releases the inlet / outlet opening 4. In addition, the solenoid valve 12 is opened, thereby activating the Schutzgasbeaufschlagung the container interior again. At the same time, the evacuation effect of the evacuation device is deactivated. The latter is in the device of Fig. 1 achieved by switching off the vacuum pump 7. In the device of Fig. 2 the piston 18 is held in its retracted end position C. Alternatively, in this case, the piston 18 can be brought back into its advanced position A during the emptying process of the dosing container 1. The melt received in the container 1 consequently empties via the inlet / outlet opening 4 and the feed opening 24 from the container 1 into the casting cylinder 23 due to gravity and assisted by the pressurization of the container interior 14 with inert gas under pressure and possibly also by the piston feed movement from its rear end position C in its front end position A.

Fig. 7 shows in sections the dosing 1 in this discharge position, symbolized by corresponding Schmelzeausströmpfeile 38. The dosing 1 is then ready to carry out a new melt receiving operation and is returned by the transfer unit 29 from its emptying position to the waiting position on the furnace 26 or right back into its melt receiving position the melting pot 27 swung back.

As is clear from the description of the above exemplary embodiments given by way of example only, the invention provides a very advantageous, novel melt metering apparatus with which melt can be transported in a precisely metered amount without the ingress of air from a melt bath to a melt discharge location. For this purpose, the dosing is inventively evacuated. During the melt transfer, the dosing can be kept closed and a negative pressure in the dosing be maintained. The metering container may have a removal nozzle with respect to a main part of the container of very small cross-section, whereby it needs to be immersed in the melt bath only with this inlet nozzle, which minimizes Aufreisseffekte on the surface of the melt bath. The evacuation of the dosing tank also keeps heat losses low, with additional thermal insulation being provided for the tank walls as needed, e.g. the pot wall and / or the container lid.

The melt metering device according to the invention can be used not only for the explicitly shown case of metal diecasting machines, but for any other pouring devices in which melt is to be transferred from a spatially remote melt bath to a melt discharge location or casting location, as for example in diecasting plants. The melt metering device according to the invention is very easily adaptable to existing casting units and furnaces, so that existing installations can easily be retrofitted therewith. Even larger Badspiegelschwankungen in melting crucible of the melting furnace pose no problem for the inventive Schmelzezudosiervorrichtung. The dosing is simply lowered so far into the crucible until the immersion sensor detects that the container is immersed with its inlet nozzle in the melt. The transfer unit for the dosing tank can be kept structurally simple and can be used with only a single drive if required. With the Melting device according to the invention can be transferred to any conventional melt materials, in particular metallic melts, such as for aluminum, magnesium and zinc casting.

Claims (15)

Melt metering device for a casting device, with a melt receiving means movable between a melt receiving location and a melt discharge location and arranged to remove a meterable amount of foundry melt material from a melt bath at the melt receiving location, to transfer it to the melt discharge location of the pouring device and release it there,
characterized in that - The melt receiving means is formed by an evacuatable metering container (1) and - Evakuiereinrichtung (7, 17) is provided, which is coupled for evacuation of the dosing with this. Melt metering device according to claim 1, further characterized by a controllable closure means (5, 6) for selectively opening and closing a melt opening (4) of the dosing. Melt metering device according to claim 2, further characterized in that the controllable closure means includes a longitudinally movably arranged in the dosing container sealing plug (5) and the melt opening in a bottom region (1d) of the dosing is provided. Melting metering device according to claim 3, further characterized in that the melt opening is formed by a projecting from the bottom region of the metering, tubular nozzle portion (1e). Melting metering device according to one of claims 1 to 4, further characterized by a controllable Schutzgasbeaufschlagungsmittel (9 to 12) for controllable loading of the metering container with a protective gas. Melting metering device according to one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized in that the metering container comprises a melt bath immersion sensor (15), the sensor signal forms a control signal for the Evakuiereinrichtung and / or the Schutzgasbeaufschlagungsmittel and / or the closure means. Melting-metering device according to one of claims 1 to 6, further characterized in that the metering container has a melt level sensor (13) whose sensor signal forms a control signal for the Evakuiereinrichtung and / or the Schutzgasbeaufschlagungsmittel and / or the closure means. Melting metering device according to one of claims 1 to 7, further characterized in that the Evakuiereinrichtung includes a vacuum pump (7) or a controlled actuated piston-cylinder unit (17). Melt metering device according to one of claims 1 to 8, further characterized by a transfer unit (21) to which the dosing container is movably coupled between the melt receiving location and the melt discharge location. Method for melt metering for a casting machine, characterized in that for carrying out the method A melt metering device according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is used. A method according to claim 10, further characterized in that for receiving melt material from the melt in the dosing the closure means is controlled in an open position, the Schutzgasbeaufschlagung is deactivated and the Evakuiereinrichtung is activated. The method of claim 10 or 11, further characterized in that the inclusion of melt material from the melt in the dosing is terminated after a predetermined period of time or upon reaching a predetermined, detected melt level in the dosing, wherein the closure means is controlled in a closed position. A method according to claim 11 or 12, further characterized in that the evacuator is kept activated after completion of receiving melt material from the melt bath in the dosing container with the closure means held closed until a melt discharge process begins. Method according to one of claims 10 to 13, further characterized in that for discharging melt material from the metering container, the closure means is controlled in an open position and the Schutzgasbeaufschlagung is activated. Die casting machine, in particular metal die casting machine, characterized in that it comprises a melt metering device according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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