Method and system for producing a cast component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a cast component ( 10 ), in particular a diecast component, in particular made of an aluminium alloy, in which the cast component ( 10 ) is subjected, at least in part, to a heat treatment process following the casting process and removal of the cast component from its mould ( 12 ), wherein the cast component ( 10 ) is cooled immediately after reaching a target temperature (T s ) during the heat treatment or, before cooling, is heat-treated for a hold time (t h ) of up to 3 mins. The invention further relates to a system for producing a cast component ( 10 ) of this type.

1 . Method for producing a cast component ( 10 ), in particular a diecast component, in particular made of an aluminium alloy, in which the cast component ( 10 ) is subjected, at least in part, to a heat treatment process following the casting process and removal of the cast component from its mould ( 12 ),
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is cooled immediately after reaching a target temperature (T s ) during the heat treatment or, before cooling, is heat-treated for a hold time (t h ) of up to 5 mins, and in particular of up to 3 mins.   
   
   
       2 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that, after reaching the target temperature (T s ) during the heat treatment and before cooling, the cast component ( 10 ) is heat-treated for a hold time (t h ) of up to 120 secs, and in particular for a hold time (t h ) of up to 90 secs.   
   
   
       3 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that, after reaching a target temperature (T s ) during the heat treatment and before cooling, the cast component ( 10 ) is heat-treated for a hold time (t h ) of up to 60 secs, and in particular for a hold time (t h ) of up to 30 secs.   
   
   
       4 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the target temperature (T s ) during the heat treatment ranges from 420 to 560° C., and in particular ranges from 490 to 540° C.   
   
   
       5 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is at least substantially heated with a temperature gradient of 2 to 12 K/s, and in particular with a temperature gradient of 4 to 8 K/s until the target temperature (T s ) has been reached.   
   
   
       6 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is heated to the target temperature (T s ) by way of warm moving air.   
   
   
       7 . Method according to  claim 6 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is heated by way of a plurality of warm air flows (nozzles  68 ).   
   
   
       8 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is heated to the target temperature (T s ) at a temperature ranging from 20 to 400° C., and in particular at a temperature ranging from 100 to 300° C. above the target temperature (T s ).   
   
   
       9 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is heated to the target temperature (T s ) at a temperature ranging from 500 to 750° C., and in particular at a temperature ranging from 600 to 720° C.   
   
   
       10 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is cooled from the target temperature (T s ) to a temperature (T a ) below 200° C., and in particular to a temperature ranging from 100 to 150° C.   
   
   
       11 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is cooled from the target temperature (T s ) by way of moving air.   
   
   
       12 . Method according to  claim 11 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is cooled by way of a plurality of cool air flows (nozzles  68 ).   
   
   
       13 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment of the cast component ( 10 ) starts within a period of 15 mins after the cast component has been removed from its mould ( 12 ).   
   
   
       14 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment of the cast component ( 10 ) starts within a period of up to 2 mins, and preferably within a period of up to 15 secs after the cast component has been removed from its mould ( 12 ).   
   
   
       15 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment process starts when the cast component ( 10 ) is at a temperature (T a ) ranging from 50 to 400° C.   
   
   
       16 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that a T 4 , T 6 , T 7  or O heat treatment is used as the heat treatment process.   
   
   
       17 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that a thermosettable aluminium alloy is used for the cast components ( 10 ), in particular the diecast components.   
   
   
       18 . Method according to  claim 16 ,
 characterised in   that an aluminium alloy having an Mg content of 0.04 to 0.6% by weight, and in particular of 0.08 to 0.18% by weight is used for the cast components ( 10 ), in particular the diecast components.   
   
   
       19 . Method according to  claim 1 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is heat-treated, at least in part.   
   
   
       20 . System for producing a cast component ( 10 ), in particular a diecast component, in particular made of an aluminium alloy, comprising a heat treatment device ( 28 ), by means of which the cast component ( 10 ) is subjected, at least in part, to a heat treatment process following the casting process and removal of the cast component from its mould ( 12 ),
 characterised in   that the heat treatment device ( 28 ) comprises a temperature, in at least one heat treatment section ( 40 ), which ranges from 20 to 400° C., and in particular ranges from 100 to 300° C. above the target temperature (T s ) of the heat treatment.   
   
   
       21 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment device ( 28 ) comprises a temperature, in the at least one heat treatment section ( 40 ), which ranges from 500 to 750° C., and in particular ranges from 600 to 720° C.   
   
   
       22 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is to be removed from the mould ( 12 ) and transported to the heat treatment device ( 28 ) by way of the same transport system (robot  24 ).   
   
   
       23 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the cast component ( 10 ) is to be removed from the mould ( 12 ) and transported to the heat treatment device ( 18 ), with no intermediate storage, by way of the transport system (robot  24 ).   
   
   
       24 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment device ( 28 ) comprises a device ( 52 ) for heating the cast component ( 10 ) to the target temperature (T s ) by way of warm moving air.   
   
   
       25 . System according to  claim 24 ,
 characterised in   that the device ( 52 ) for heating the cast component ( 10 ) comprises a plurality of nozzles ( 68 ) or the like for producing warm air flows.   
   
   
       26 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment device ( 28 ) comprises a device ( 58 ) for cooling the cast component ( 10 ) from the target temperature (T s ) by way of moving air.   
   
   
       27 . System according to  claim 26 ,
 characterised in   that the device ( 56 ) for cooling the cast component ( 10 ) comprises a plurality of nozzles ( 68 ) or the like for producing cool air flows.   
   
   
       28 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment section ( 40 ) for heating the cast component ( 10 ) to the target temperature (T s ) comprises at least one chamber ( 42 ).   
   
   
       29 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment section ( 40 ) for heating the cast component ( 10 ) to the target temperature (T s ) comprises a retaining chamber ( 44 ).   
   
   
       30 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that the heat treatment device ( 28 ) comprises an input chamber ( 46 ) and/or an output chamber ( 48 ).   
   
   
       31 . System according to  claim 28 ,
 characterised in   that the chambers ( 42 ,  44 ,  46 ,  48 ) of the heat treatment device ( 28 ) are separated from one another and from the outside by respective sluices ( 50 ).   
   
   
       32 . System according to  claim 20 ,
 characterised in   that said system is configured for carrying out a method according to any one of  claims 1  to  19 .