Apparatus and method for extruding wide profiles

Abstract

An apparatus for extruding a material, the apparatus comprising: a block which includes two or more extrusion containers composed of heat resisting material, the containers being arranged to receive billets of the extruding material; a die set arranged downstream of the block including the two or more extrusion containers; and one or more rams, wherein the one or more rams are aligned with the axes of the extrusion containers and are arranged to push the billets of material through the extrusion containers into the die set; wherein the die set includes an upper die including two or more extrusion channels for extruding material from each of the extrusion containers, and a lower die incorporating a welding chamber, wherein two or more extruded billets from each of the extrusion channels are welded together and passed out through the exit of the die set.

1 . An apparatus for extruding a material, the apparatus comprising:
 a block which includes two or more extrusion containers composed of heat resisting material, said containers being arranged to receive billets of the extruding material;   a die set arranged downstream of the block including the two or more extrusion containers; and   one or more rams, wherein the one or more rams are aligned with the axes of the extrusion containers and are arranged to push the billets of material through the extrusion containers into the die set;   wherein the die set includes an upper die including two or more extrusion channels for extruding material from each of said extrusion containers, and a lower die incorporating a welding chamber, wherein two or more extruded billets from each of said extrusion channels are welded together and passed out through the exit of the die set.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the extrusion containers are cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the axes of the extrusion containers are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         4 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the block comprises two or more independent containers which are held in position by bolsters. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the block comprises a block extruder incorporating the two or more independent containers, the block extruder being held between bolsters. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the bolsters are held by use of hydraulic pressure or other means. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the containers or block extruder are made from hot extrusion tool material and the bolsters are made from cast iron or steel. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the exit of the die set is arranged to be at an angle between 0 and 90° to the plane of the container axes. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising rolling stands downstream of the exit of the die set, in order to receive the extruded material and reduce the extruded thickness by hot rolling. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising one or more quenching baths downstream of the rolling stands. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising further rolling stands downstream of the quenching bath for further processing of the extruded material by cold rolling. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the material to be extruded is selected from metals and alloys, in particular aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys, and steels. 
     
     
         13 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which two or more blocks comprising extrusion containers, and associated rams are arranged to feed into the same die set. 
     
     
         14 . A method of extruding a sheet of material using the apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 pre-heating two or more billets of material;   transferring the pre-heated billets of material to the two or more extrusion containers;   pushing the billets through the containers using the rams, such that the material is forced through the extrusion channels in the upper die;   welding the extruded material in the welding chamber; and   passing the welded material out through the exit of the die set.   
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising a step of passing the extruded material through a set of rollers while hot to further reduce the thickness of the sheet. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising quenching the rolled material. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16 , further comprising cold rolling the quenched rolled material. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , further comprising cold or hot stamping the extruded product. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , in which two or more blocks comprising extrusion containers are arranged around a common die set and material is fed to each extrusion container and several billets of material are extruded simultaneously to increase productivity.