Method and unit for production of a cast component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the production of a cast component ( 10 ), in particular a die casting component, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, according to which the cast component ( 10 ) is at least partially subjected to a heat treatment following the molding process and the removal from the mold ( 12 ), wherein the heat treatment of the cast component ( 10 ) is begun within a period of up to 15 minutes after the removal from the mold ( 12 ). In addition, the invention relates to a device by which a cast component ( 10 ) is taken out of the mold ( 12 ) and transported into a heat treatment facility ( 28 ) by means of one and the same transport system (robot 24 ).

1 . A method for production of a cast component, in particular a die casting component, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, in which the cast component is at least partially subjected to a heat treatment process subsequent to the casting process and the removal from its mold,
 wherein the heat treatment process of the cast component is begun within a period of up to 15 min after the removal from its mold.   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heat treatment process of the cast component is begun within a period of up to 2 min and preferably within a period of up to 15 s after the removal from its mold.   
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heat treatment process is begun at a temperature of the cast component in a region of 50°-400° Celsius.   
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a casting residue remains on the cast component during the heat treatment process.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heat treatment process is selected from the group consisting of a single step soft annealing and a solution annealing with subsequent storage.   
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the heat treatment process is performed in one of the following from the group consisting of a heat treatment furnace and a heat treatment bath.   
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 4 ,
 wherein the casting residue is removed from the cast component after annealing and cooling down associated therewith.   
   
   
       8 . The method according to any one of  claim 5 , further comprising the step of:
 dressing of the cast component after the annealing and the cooling down associated therewith.   
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein cooling after the annealing, in particular the solution annealing, is made by means of agitated air during a cooling time of about 1 to 8 min and preferably during a cooling time of about 2 to 6 min.   
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein cooling after the annealing, in particular the solution annealing, is made by means of a cooling liquid, in particular by means of water.   
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein after the annealing, in particular the solution annealing and the cooling down associated therewith, storage of the cast component is made at a temperature of 140° to 240° Celsius during a storage time of about 15 min up to 10 h.   
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein storage of the cast component is made at a later point in time after the annealing, in particular by cathodic dip varnishing.   
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein soft annealing is made at a temperature of about 320° to 440° Celsius during an annealing time of about 4 to 120 min.   
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein, after the removal, the cast component is temporarily stored in a buffer furnace associated with the heat treatment process.   
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 ,
 wherein the cast component is at least approximately maintained at its removal temperature in the buffer furnace.   
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the cast component is heat treated, in particular annealed, during a dwell time of about 3 to 120 min and preferably during a dwell time of about 12 to 24 min.   
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 5 ,
 wherein the cast component is brought to a dwell temperature in a quick heating process, in particular inductively, by means of one selected from the group consisting of a burner and a salt bath.   
   
   
       18 . A plant for production of a cast component, in particular a die casting component, preferably made of an aluminum alloy, including a mold from which the cast component is to be removed subsequent to the casting process,
 wherein the cast component is to be removed from the mold and to be transported into a heat treatment facility by means of one and the same transport system.   
   
   
       19 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the cast component is to be removed from the mold and to be transported into the heat treatment facility by means of the transport system without temporary storage.   
   
   
       20 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein a heat treatment furnace or a heat treatment basin is associated with the heat treatment facility.   
   
   
       21 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein a buffer furnace is associated with the heat treatment facility, in which the cast component can be temporarily stored.   
   
   
       22 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein a gripping means of the transport system is provided, by which the cast component is to be retained in the region of a casting residue.   
   
   
       23 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein subsequent to the heat treatment, the cast component is to be brought into the effective range of a cooling facility by means of the transport system.   
   
   
       24 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the cast component is to be brought to a separation unit for mechanic processing by means of the transport system.   
   
   
       25 . The plant according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the cast component is to be transported into a storage furnace by means of the transport system.