Apparatus for low-pressure casting of metallic products

Abstract

An apparatus for low-pressure casting of metallic products includes at least one forming die which is provided with a cavity which is adapted to receive a molten metallic mass. The forming die includes at least two parts which can move between an open configuration, in which they are mutually spaced apart, and a closed configuration, in which together they define the cavity, the forming die being supported and moved by a manipulator with multiple degrees of freedom, which has movable parts that are actuated by electric motor components driven by a control unit.

1 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for low-pressure casting of metallic products comprises:
 at least one forming die provided with a cavity which is adapted to receive a molten metallic mass, said forming die comprising at least two parts configured to move between an open configuration, in which said two parts are mutually spaced apart, and a closed configuration, in which said two parts together define said cavity, said forming die being supported and moved by a manipulator with multiple degrees of freedom, wherein said manipulator comprises a plurality of movable parts that are actuated by electric motor means driven by a control unit.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said manipulator comprises a post which is mounted so that said post is configured to rotate on a stationary base, about a first axis, said post and said stationary base being mutually connected by a first joint associated with first electric motor means with the interposition of first transmission means. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein said manipulator comprises a first articulation element mounted so that said first articulation element is configured to oscillate on said post, about a second axis which is transverse to said first axis, said first articulation element and said post being mutually connected by way of a second joint associated with second electric motor means with the interposition of second transmission means. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said manipulator comprises an arm mounted so that said arm is configured to rotate on said first articulation element about a third axis transverse to said second axis, said arm and said first articulation element being mutually connected by way of a third joint associated with third electric motor means with the interposition of third transmission means. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said arm comprises:
 a first segment, fixed along a fourth axis which is substantially parallel to said third axis,   a second segment configured to move along said fourth axis,   said first segment and said second segment being mutually connected by sliding means associated with fourth electric motor means with the interposition of fourth transmission means.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said arm comprises an elbow-shaped portion integral with said second segment and is connected to said first articulation element by said third joint. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said manipulator comprises second articulation elements mounted so that said second articulation elements are configured to oscillate on said first segment and said second segment, about fifth axes which are transverse to said fourth axis, said second articulation elements being connected to said first segment and said second segment by fifth joints respectively associated with fifth electric motor means with the interposition of fifth transmission means. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein said manipulator comprises a first head and a second head, which are mounted so that said first and second heads are configured to oscillate on said second articulation elements, about sixth axes which are transverse to said fifth axes, said first head and said second head being connected to said second articulation elements by sixth joints respectively associated with sixth electric motor means with the interposition of sixth transmission means. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said manipulator comprises a first flange and a second flange mounted so that said first and second flanges are configured to rotate on said first head and said second head about seventh axes which are transverse to said sixth axes, said first flange and said second flange being connected to said first head and said second head by seventh joints respectively associated with seventh electric motor means with the interposition of seventh transmission means, said first flange and said second flange being adapted to support respectively said two parts of said die. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein said first to seven electric motor means comprise brushless motors associated with corresponding position transducers. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus for low-pressure casting of metallic products according to  claim 15 , comprising one or more arms and/or one or more articulation elements and/or one or more manipulators, wherein it is moved by electric motor means.