Clamping device for a core bundle and method for casting

Abstract

A clamping device ( 11 ) for a multi-part core bundle ( 12 ) made of a molding material and to a method for casting using a clamping device of this kind, the clamping device comprising at least one clamping mechanism ( 16 ) by means of which the core bundle is subjected to a clamping force on opposite contact surfaces ( 13 ) of the core bundle. The clamping mechanism has at least two clamping modules ( 17 ) by means of which the clamping force is exerted on the core bundle, the clamping modules each having a clamping element ( 21 ) for abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moveable independently of each other with respect to contact surface.

1 . A clamping device ( 11 ) for a multi-part core bundle ( 12 ) made of a molding material, the clamping device comprising at least one clamping mechanism ( 16 ) by means of which the core bundle is subjectable to a clamping force on opposite contact surfaces ( 13 ) of the core bundle, wherein the clamping mechanism has at least two clamping modules ( 17 ) by means of which the clamping force is exertable on the core bundle, the clamping modules each having a clamping element ( 21 ) for abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moveable independently of each other with respect to contact surface. 
     
     
         2 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping device ( 11 ) comprises at least two clamping mechanisms ( 16 ), which are disposed opposite each other with respect to the contact surfaces ( 13 ) of the core bundle ( 12 ). 
     
     
         3 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping device ( 11 ) comprises at least one further clamping mechanism by means of which the core bundle ( 12 ) is subjected to a further clamping force on further contact surfaces of the core bundle, the further contact surfaces being transverse with respect to the contact surfaces ( 13 ). 
     
     
         4 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping device ( 11 ) has a clamping frame ( 18 ), which surrounds the core bundle ( 12 ) at least partially the clamping modules ( 17 ) being fastened on the clamping frame. 
     
     
         5 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping mechanism ( 16 ) comprises at least three, four, five, six or more clamping modules ( 17 ). 
     
     
         6 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping module ( 17 ) has a spindle stock ( 28 ) having a guide ( 29 ) and a spindle ( 30 ) mounted on the spindle stock and drivable using a manipulator, the clamping element ( 21 ) being moveable along the guide towards the contact surface ( 13 ) using the spindle. 
     
     
         7 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one spring element ( 33 ) is formed on the clamping element ( 21 ), the clamping force being exertable on the contact surface ( 13 ) by means of the spring element ( 33 ). 
     
     
         8 . The clamping device according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamping device ( 11 ) comprises a support ( 38 ) which forms a support surface ( 43 ) for the core bundle ( 12 ), at least the clamping mechanism ( 16 ) or the clamping frame ( 18 ) being disposed on the support. 
     
     
         9 . The clamping device according to  claim 8 , wherein posts ( 44 ) are disposed on the support ( 38 ) in order to support the core bundle ( 12 ). 
     
     
         10 . The clamping device according to  claim 8 , wherein the clamping device ( 11 ) comprises a trough ( 39 ), which forms a receptacle for the support ( 38 ), the support being inserted in the trough. 
     
     
         11 . A cast mold ( 10 ) having a clamping device ( 11 ) according to  claim 1  and a core bundle ( 12 ), the core bundle being clamped on opposite contact surfaces ( 13 ) of the core bundle in the clamping device. 
     
     
         12 . The cast mold according to  claim 11 , wherein the respective contact surface ( 13 ) is made of a plurality of plane partial surfaces ( 23 ,  24 ), the partial surfaces being disposed in offset parallel planes ( 26 ,  27 ). 
     
     
         13 . A casting installation comprising a plurality of clamping devices ( 11 ) according to  claim 1 , a manipulator for bracing a core bundle ( 12 ) in a clamping device ( 11 ) and a conveyor device for conveying the clamping devices along the manipulator, the manipulator being able to actuate clamping modules ( 17 ) of the clamping device and clamping elements ( 21 ) of the clamping modules being moveable independently of each other on a contact surface ( 13 ) of the core bundle and being subjectable to a defined clamping force. 
     
     
         14 . The casting installation according to  claim 13 , wherein the clamping devices ( 11 ) each comprise at least one clamping mechanism ( 16 ), the clamping devices having differing clamping mechanisms. 
     
     
         15 . The casting installation according to  claim 13 , wherein the casting installation comprises a casting machine, a covering device ( 54 ) being formed on the casting machine, the covering device covering the clamping mechanism ( 16 ). 
     
     
         16 . A method for casting using a clamping device ( 11 ) and a multi-part core bundle ( 12 ) made of a molding material, comprising subjecting the core bundle to a clamping force at opposite contact surfaces ( 13 ) of the core bundle using at least one clamping mechanism ( 16 ) of the clamping device, wherein the clamping force is exerted on the core bundle using at least two clamping modules ( 17 ) of the clamping mechanism, one clamping element ( 21 ) of each of the clamping modules abutting against one of the contact surfaces of the core bundle, the clamping elements being moved independently of each other with respect to the contact surface. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method comprises the following steps:
 a) disposing the core bundle ( 12 ) on a support ( 38 ) of the clamping device ( 11 );   b) disposing the support ( 38 ) on a trough ( 39 ) of the clamping device or disposing the support ( 38 ) on a trough ( 39 ) of the clamping device before disposing the core bundle ( 12 ) on the support;   c) disposing the clamping mechanism ( 16 ) on the support.   d) bracing the core bundle in the clamping device by means of the clamping module ( 17 );   e) filling the core bundle with a casting material by means of a casting machine;   f) solidifying the casting material to a product and removing the clamping mechanism from the support;   g) demolding the cast product; and   h) transporting and returning the clamping devices, the support and the trough using a conveyor device.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the method is performed using a plurality of clamping devices ( 11 ), the clamping devices being identical or different, core bundles ( 12 ) differing geometrically being braced by the clamping devices, contact surfaces ( 13 ) of the core bundles each assigned to a clamping module ( 17 ) being designed having relative distances to the clamping module which differ to each other. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of sensing a travel position of the clamping element ( 21 ), a clamping force of the clamping element, a temperature in or on the core bundle ( 12 ) or a weight force of the core bundle being measured by means of at least one sensor disposed on the core bundle ( 12 ) or the clamping device ( 11 ). 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of exerting the same amount of clamping force on all contact surfaces ( 13 ). 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including the step of detecting a type of a core bundle ( 12 ) or a clamping device ( 11 ) by means of a detection mechanism of a control device of a casting installation, the core bundle or the clamping device being marked by means of an individual marking or being registered by means of a camera, parameters being stored in a data bank of the control device for each type, the parameters being transmitted to a manipulator for bracing the core bundle or a casting machine of the casting installation for each type.