Clamping assembly for two platen die cast machine

Abstract

A clamping assembly for providing lock-up pressure between die blocks of a die cast machine includes at least one tie bar engagement mechanism adapted to releasably engage a tie bar of a die cast machine, thereby preventing the tie bar engagement mechanism from sliding with respect to the tie bar. The clamping assembly also includes at least one hydraulic piston assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to apply pressure to a die block of the die cast machine when the piston assembly is extended, and wherein the second end abuts the tie bar engagement mechanism when the tie bar engagement mechanism is engaged with the tie bar and the piston assembly is extended.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A clamping assembly for providing lock-up pressure between the die blocks of a die cast machine, comprising: 
 at least one tie bar engagement mechanism adapted to releasably engage a tie bar of a die cast machine, thereby preventing the tie bar from sliding with respect to the tie bar engagement mechanism; and    at least one hydraulic piston assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to apply pressure to a die block of the die cast machine when the piston assembly is extended, and wherein the second end abuts the tie bar engagement mechanism when the tie bar engagement mechanism is engaged with the tie bar and the piston assembly is extended.    
     
     
         2 . The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the hydraulic piston assembly includes an outer housing having longitudinally extending bore, and an inner piston received within the bore of the outer housing and having a longitudinally extending bore, and wherein the longitudinally extending bore of the of the inner piston is adapted to slidingly receive the tie bar therein.  
     
     
         3 . The clamping assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bore of the outer housing includes a radially extending interior wall, the inner piston includes an end wall, and wherein the hydraulic piston is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid within the bore of the outer housing and between the interior wall of the outer housing and the end wall of the inner piston.  
     
     
         4 . The clamping assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the outer housing includes an aperture extending between an outer surface of the outer housing and the bore of the outer housing, and wherein the bore provides fluid communication to the bore of the outer housing for the hydraulic fluid.  
     
     
         5 . The clamping assembly of  claim 4 , further including: 
 an intensifier cylinder adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         6 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 4 , further including: 
 a hydraulic pump adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         7 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 6 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves adapted to mate with a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially about the tie bar.  
     
     
         8 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 7 , further including: 
 a mechanical lock up mechanism that threadably engages the inner piston and abuts the outer housing, thereby limiting the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston.    
     
     
         9 . The clamping assembly of  claim 1 , further including: 
 an intensifier cylinder adapted to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston.    
     
     
         10 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , further including: 
 a hydraulic pump adapted to provide the hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston.    
     
     
         11 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves adapted to mate with a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially about the tie bar.  
     
     
         12 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 1 , further including: 
 a mechanical lock up mechanism that threadably engages the inner piston and abuts the outer housing, thereby limiting the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston.    
     
     
         13 . A die cast machine, comprising: 
 a frame assembly;    a first platen fixed with respect to the frame assembly;    a second platen movable with respect to the first platen between an open position and a closed position;    a die block having a first portion fixedly attached to the first platen and a second portion fixedly attached to the second platen, wherein the second portion of the die block is spaced apart from the first portion of the die block when the second platen is in the open position, and wherein the second portion of the die block abuts the first portion of the die block when the second platen is in the closed position;    at least one tie bar extending between the first platen and the second platen;    at least one tie bar engagement mechanism releasably engaging the tie bar, thereby preventing the tie bar engagement mechanism from sliding with respect to the tie bar; and    at least one hydraulic piston assembly having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end applies pressure to the second portion of the die block when the piston assembly is extended, and wherein the second end abuts the tie bar engagement mechanism when the tie bar engagement mechanism is engaged with the tie bar and the piston assembly is extended.    
     
     
         14 . The die cast machine of  claim 13 , wherein the hydraulic piston assembly includes an outer housing having longitudinally extending bore, and an inner piston received within the bore of the outer housing and having a longitudinally extending bore, and the longitudinally extending bore of the of the inner piston is adapted to slidingly receive the tie bar therein.  
     
     
         15 . The clamping assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the bore of the outer housing of the piston assembly includes a radially extending interior wall, the inner piston includes an end wall, and wherein the hydraulic piston is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid within the bore of the outer housing and between the interior wall of the outer housing and the end wall of the inner piston.  
     
     
         16 . The die cast machine of  claim 15 , wherein the outer housing of the piston assembly includes an aperture extending between an outer surface of the outer housing and the bore of the outer housing, and wherein the bore provides fluid communication to the bore of the outer housing for the hydraulic fluid.  
     
     
         17 . The die cast machine of  claim 16 , further including: 
 an intensifier cylinder adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         18 . The die cast machine of  claim 16 , further including: 
 a hydraulic pump adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         19 . The die cast machine of  claim 18 , further including: 
 a mechanical lock up mechanism that threadably engages the inner piston and abuts the outer housing, thereby limiting the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston.    
     
     
         20 . The die cast machine of  claim 13 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the first portion and the second portion each include a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves, and wherein the tie bar has a plurality of circumferentially extending grooves that mate with the grooves of the first and second portions of the split nut.  
     
     
         21 . The die cast machine of  claim 13 , further including: 
 a mechanical lock up mechanism that threadably engages the inner piston and abuts the outer housing, thereby limiting the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston.    
     
     
         22 . A clamping assembly for providing lock-up pressure between the die blocks of a die cast machine, comprising: 
 at least one hydraulic piston assembly having an outer housing, an inner piston, a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to apply pressure to a die block of the die cast machine when the piston assembly is extended, and wherein the second end is adapted to abut an engagement member of the die cast machine; and    a mechanical lock-up mechanism mechanically linked to the inner piston and abutting the outer housing, thereby limiting the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston.    
     
     
         23 . The clamping assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the mechanical lock-up mechanism threadably engages the inner piston.  
     
     
         24 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 23 , wherein the mechanical lock-up mechanism includes a hydraulic motor in operable communication with the inner piston.  
     
     
         25 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 24 , wherein the hydraulic motor is in operable communication with the inner piston via a pinion gear and a ring gear.  
     
     
         26 . The clamping assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the outer housing has a longitudinally extending bore, and the inner piston is received within the bore of the outer housing and has a longitudinally extending bore, and wherein the longitudinally extending bore of the of the inner piston is adapted to slidingly receive the tie bar therein.  
     
     
         27 . The clamping assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the bore of the outer housing includes a radially extending interior wall, the inner piston includes an end wall, and wherein the hydraulic piston is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid within the bore of the outer housing and between the interior wall of the outer housing and the end wall of the inner piston.  
     
     
         28 . The clamping assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the outer housing includes an aperture extending between an outer surface of the outer housing and the bore of the outer housing, and wherein the bore provides fluid communication to the bore of the outer housing for the hydraulic fluid.  
     
     
         29 . The clamping assembly of  claim 28 , further including: 
 an intensifier cylinder adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         30 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 28 , further including: 
 a hydraulic pump adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         31 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 28 , further including: 
 at least one tie bar engagement mechanism adapted to releasably engage a tie bar of a die cast machine, thereby preventing the tie bar engagement mechanism from sliding with respect to the tie bar.    
     
     
         32 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 31 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves adapted to mate with a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially about the tie bar.  
     
     
         33 . The clamping assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the outer housing has a longitudinally extending bore, and the inner piston is received within the bore of the outer housing and has a longitudinally extending bore, and wherein the longitudinally extending bore of the of the inner piston is adapted to slidingly receive the tie bar therein.  
     
     
         34 . The clamping assembly of  claim 33 , wherein the bore of the outer housing includes a radially extending interior wall, the inner piston includes an end wall, and wherein the hydraulic piston is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid within the bore of the outer housing and between the interior wall of the outer housing and the end wall of the inner piston.  
     
     
         35 . The clamping assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the outer housing includes an aperture extending between an outer surface of the outer housing and the bore of the outer housing, and wherein the bore provides fluid communication to the bore of the outer housing for the hydraulic fluid.  
     
     
         36 . The clamping assembly of  claim 35 , further including: 
 an intensifier cylinder adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         37 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 35 , further including: 
 a hydraulic pump adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         38 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 22 , further including: 
 at least one tie bar engagement mechanism adapted to releasably engage a tie bar of a die cast machine, thereby preventing the tie bar engagement mechanism from sliding with respect to the tie bar.    
     
     
         39 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 38 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves adapted to mate with a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially about the tie bar.  
     
     
         40 . A die cast machine, comprising: 
 a frame assembly;    a first platen fixed with respect to the frame assembly;    a second platen movable with respect to the first platen between an open position and a closed position;    a die block having a first portion fixedly attached to the first platen and a second portion fixedly attached to the second platen, wherein the second portion of the die block is spaced apart from the first portion of the die block when the second platen is in the open position, and wherein the second portion of the die block abuts the first portion of the die block when the second platen is in the closed position;    at least one tie bar extending between the first platen and the second platen;    at least one hydraulic piston assembly having an outer housing, an inner piston, a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is adapted to apply pressure to the die block of the die cast machine when the piston assembly is extended, and wherein the second end is adapted to abut an engagement member of the die cast machine; and    a mechanical lock-up mechanism mechanically linked to the inner piston and abutting the outer housing, thereby limiting the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston.    
     
     
         41 . The clamping assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the mechanical lock-up mechanism threadably engages the inner piston.  
     
     
         42 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 41 , wherein the mechanical lock-up mechanism includes a hydraulic motor in operable communication with the inner piston.  
     
     
         43 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 42 , wherein the hydraulic motor is in operable communication with the inner piston via a pinion gear and a ring gear.  
     
     
         44 . The clamping assembly of  claim 40 , wherein the outer housing has a longitudinally extending bore, and the inner piston is received within the bore of the outer housing and has a longitudinally extending bore, and wherein the longitudinally extending bore of the of the inner piston is adapted to slidingly receive the tie bar therein.  
     
     
         45 . The clamping assembly of  claim 44 , wherein the bore of the outer housing includes a radially extending interior wall, the inner piston includes an end wall, and wherein the hydraulic piston is adapted to receive hydraulic fluid within the bore of the outer housing and between the interior wall of the outer housing and the end wall of the inner piston.  
     
     
         46 . The clamping assembly of  claim 45 , wherein the outer housing includes an aperture extending between an outer surface of the outer housing and the bore of the outer housing, and wherein the bore provides fluid communication to the bore of the outer housing for the hydraulic fluid.  
     
     
         47 . The clamping assembly of  claim 46 , further including: 
 an intensifier cylinder adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         48 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 46 , further including: 
 a hydraulic pump adapted to provide the hydraulic fluid to the bore of the outer housing via the aperture in the outer housing.    
     
     
         49 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 40 , further including: 
 at least one tie bar engagement mechanism adapted to releasably engage a tie bar of a die cast machine, thereby preventing the tie bar engagement mechanism from sliding with respect to the tie bar.    
     
     
         50 . The clamping mechanism of  claim 49 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion that reciprocate with respect to one another between an engaged position and a disengaged position, and wherein the first portion and the second portion each include a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves adapted to mate with a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially about the tie bar.  
     
     
         51 . A method for clamping a two-platen die cast machine that includes a frame assembly, a first platen fixed with respect to the frame assembly; a second platen movable with respect to the first platen between an open position and a closed position, a die block having a first portion fixedly attached to the first platen and a second portion fixedly attached to the second platen, wherein the second portion of the die block is spaced apart from the first portion of the die block when the second platen is in the open position, and wherein the second portion of the die block abuts the first portion of the die block when the second platen is in the closed position, and at least one tie bar extending between the first platen and the second platen, the method comprising: 
 moving the second platen to the closed position;    releasably engaging a tie bar of the die cast machine with a tie bar engagement mechanism, thereby preventing the tie bar engagement mechanism from sliding with respect to the tie bar; and    providing a clamping force between the first die block and the second die block by extending at least one hydraulic piston assembly between the second platen and the tie bar engagement mechanism.    
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the piston assembly includes an outer housing and an inner piston; and further including: 
 locking the longitudinal travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston via a mechanical lock-up mechanism mechanically linked to the inner piston and abutting the outer housing, thereby locking the travel of the second die block with respect to the first die block.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the step of locking the travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston includes threadably engaging the inner piston with the mechanical lock-up device.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of locking the travel of the outer housing with respect to the inner piston includes abutting the outer housing with the mechanical lock-up device.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the hydraulic piston assembly includes an outer housing having longitudinally extending bore and the bore includes a radially extending interior wall, and an inner piston received within the bore of the outer housing and having an end wall, and wherein the step of providing a clamping force includes increasing a hydraulic pressure between the interior wall of the outer housing and the end wall of the inner piston.  
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the step of providing a clamping force includes pumping a hydraulic fluid into the piston assembly via an intensifier cylinder.  
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein the step of providing a clamping force includes pumping a hydraulic fluid into the piston assembly via a hydraulic pump.  
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 51 , wherein the tie bar engagement mechanism includes a split nut having a first portion and a second portion the first portion and the second portion each including a semicircular interior surface having a plurality of grooves that mate with a plurality of grooves extending circumferentially about the tie bar, and wherein the step of releasably engaging the tie bar with the tie bar engagement mechanism includes reciprocating the first and second portions of the split nut with respect to one another until the grooves of the first and second portions of the split nut are engaged with the grooves of the tie rod.