Molding apparatus

Abstract

By arranging such that the crystal fractures of alloy raw meal powder having crystal orientational relationship with one another get combined in the magnetic field, there is provided a molding apparatus which is capable of molding a molded body having an extremely high orientation. The molding apparatus of this invention has: a cavity for filling thereinto a powder that is polarized in magnetic field or electric field; means for generating magnetic field or electric field capable of charging the powder filled in the cavity with the magnetic field or electric field; an agitating means for agitating the powder in a state of being charged with the magnetic field or the electric field, thereby orienting the powder; and a pressurizing means for applying a compression force in the magnetic field or electric field to the agitated and oriented product.

1 . A molding apparatus comprising:
 a filling chamber filled with powder that is polarized in one of magnetic field and electric field;   means for generating one of magnetic field and electric field so as to enable to charge the powder filled in the filling chamber with one of the magnetic field and electric field;   an agitating means for agitating and orienting the powder in a state of being charged with one of the magnetic field and electric field; and   a pressurizing means for applying a compression force in one of the magnetic field and electric field to the powder that has been agitated and oriented, thereby molding the powder.   
     
     
         2 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the agitating means is disposed in a manner to be movable into and out of the filling chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the filling chamber has an opening for filling the powder therethrough, and wherein a lid body is provided integral with the agitating means in a manner to close the opening when the agitating means is moved into the filling chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the agitating means is constituted by a non-magnetic material. 
     
     
         5 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating the magnetic field is capable of generating static magnetic field in a range of magnetic field intensity of 5˜30 kOe. 
     
     
         6 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating the magnetic field is capable of generating magnetic pulse field in a range of magnetic field intensity of 5˜50 kOe. 
     
     
         7 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the powder is alloy raw meal powder for rare-earth magnet, the alloy raw meal powder being manufactured by quenching method. 
     
     
         8 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the filling chamber has an opening for filling the powder therethrough, and wherein a lid body is provided integral with the agitating means in a manner to close the opening when the agitating means is moved into the filling chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The molding apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the agitating means is constituted by a non-magnetic material.