A mechanical pump delivers metal to the pouring cup for a permanent mold tilt pour machine.
simple designs suitable for a wide variety of applications and shop fl oor designs, such as in a linear opera- tion or with mounted rotary bases. T ey do not require as much guarding as robots. However, they are limited in shot size and range of motions for diff erent heights.
Robotic Pouring Robotic pouring is fl exible and
highly repeatable. Eighteen percent of those surveyed utilize robotic pour- ing as a primary method. Robots have the ability to multi-task with several functions and diff erent pour weights, heights and speeds. On the down-side, robots are typically more expensive than automatic ladlers, and greater versatility means greater complexity, which requires more maintenance and elaborate guarding.
Mechanical Metal Pumps
Mechanically assisted melting methods are most highly used among
those surveyed,
accounting for 35% of respondents. Pumps can move large volumes of metal continuously and are useful in high volume operations, with an ability to be fi tted with a variety of fi ltering options. Pumps can be used to circulate metal in
large furnaces, which pro-
vides more effi cient and uniform heat control while staying comparatively inexpensive. Although some models can circulate bath and discharge metal, mechanical pumps are typically not used for fi lling molds. T ey must be kept immersed to reduce maintenance issues.
Electro-Magnetic Pumps Electro-magnetic (EM) pumps
were indicated as a primary melting method by 6% of survey respondents. T ey provide good control of the pour profi le and are versatile. T e pumps are often used as a low-pressure method of supplying metal into the mold. EM
Electro-magnetic pumps provide good control of the pour profi le, are versatile and typically are used as a low-pressure method.
pumps off er a vast shot size poten- tial. T ey do not have moving parts and off er better metal control, easier metal access and better furnace size advantages over standard low pressure systems. However, EM pumps are relatively expensive.
Dosing Furnaces & Pumps T ough it was indicated that
dosing furnaces and pumps are used in some shops, none of the respon-
A robot performes pouring into a permanent mold using an offset end tool ladle.
38 | MODERN CASTING August 2012
Dosing furnaces can deliver repeatable temperature and shot control while dosing pumps are versa- tile and provide good shot control.
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