Quick change tool for die casting metal

Abstract

A quick change tool for use in die casting. The tool includes a pair of frame plates permanently bolted into a die casting machine. A first frame plate bolted to an upper platen of the machine and a second frame plate bolted to the lower platen. Each frame or plate can include a plurality of slotted rails that form a slotted rectangular periphery groove adapted to accept a standard size periphery ear attached to an existing die. This allows a die casting operation to retrofit old dies to fit the system while also making new dies to fit. The system allows for dies to be quickly slid out of a casting machine substantially reducing set up time in a die casting operation while still allowing for a precise relocation of the dies at each change over.

1 . A quick change die casting tool set comprising:
 a first frame attached to an upper platen of a die casting machine,   a second frame bolted to a lower platen of said die casting machine,   wherein said first frame includes a plurality of slotted die rails forming a first rectangular frame having a first slotted interior perimeter,   wherein said second frame includes a plurality of slotted die rails forming a second rectangular frame having a second slotted interior perimeter,   a first perimeter ear on a top die shoe of a die set and a second perimeter on a bottom die shoe of a die set, wherein said first perimeter ear is sized to slidingly fit within said first slotted perimeter and said second perimeter ear is sized to slidingly fit within said second slotted perimeter.   
   
   
       2 . The quick change die casting tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said top and bottom die shoes can be removed by removing a first and second slotted die rails and sliding said die set out of said first and second slotted interior perimeter. 
   
   
       3 . The quick change die casting tool as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said die set includes a spring loaded part ejector and an upper portion of said part ejector is held on said upper first body by a slot and groove. 
   
   
       4 . A quick change die casting tool set comprising:
 a first plate attachable to an upper platen of a die casting machine,   a second plate attachable to a lower platen of said die casting machine,   wherein said first plate has an interior slotted groove,   wherein said second plate has an interior slotted groove,   a first ear on a top tool insert of a die set and a second ear on a bottom tool insert of a die set, wherein said first ear is sized to slidingly fit within said first slotted groove and said second ear is sized to slidingly fit within said second slotted groove.   
   
   
       5 . The quick change die casting tool as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said die set includes a spring loaded part ejector and an upper portion of said part ejector is held on said upper first body by a slot and groove. 
   
   
       6 . The quick change die casting tool set as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said first plate includes a plurality of individual rails attached together to form said plate and wherein each rail includes a portion of said first slotted groove. 
   
   
       7 . The quick change die casting tool as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the second plate includes a plurality of individual rails attached together to form said plate and wherein each rail includes a portion of said second slotted groove. 
   
   
       8 . The quick change die casting tool as recited in  claim 4 , wherein said first plate is formed from a single piece and said first slotted groove is machined into an interior perimeter of the piece. 
   
   
       9 . A quick change die casting tool assembly comprising:
 a first plate attachable to an upper platen of a die casting machine,   a second plate attachable to a lower platen of said die casting machine,   wherein said first plate has an interior slotted groove formed on an interior perimeter,   wherein said second plate has an interior slotted groove formed on an interior perimeter,   a first ear on a top portion of a die set and a second ear on a bottom portion of a die set,   wherein said first ear is sized to slidingly fit within said first slotted groove and said second ear is sized to slidingly fit within said second slotted groove, and wherein a threaded fastener holds said top portion of said die set in said first slotted groove and a second threaded fastener holds said bottom portion of said die set in said second slotted groove.   
   
   
       10 . The quick change die casting tool assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said die set includes a spring loaded part ejector held on said upper first body adjacent said upper portion of said die set. 
   
   
       11 . The quick change die casting tool assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first plate includes a plurality of individual rails attached together to form said plate and wherein each of said individual rail includes a portion of said first slotted groove and wherein the second plate includes a plurality of individual rails attached together to form said plate and wherein each of said individual rail includes a portion of said second slotted groove. 
   
   
       12 . The quick change die casting tool assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said first plate is formed from a single piece and said first slotted groove is machined into an interior perimeter of the piece. 
   
   
       13 . The quick change die casting tool assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said die set can be removed by removing said first and second fasteners and sliding said die set out of said first and second slotted grooves.