The company manufactures products using high-pressure die casting of aluminium alloys. Due to the production of a large number of different products for the automotive industry, frequent tool changes on the die-casting cell are required. To shorten the changeover time, the tool change between series is analysed on the basis of the SMED method. The focus is on a design solution – the use of an additional element for quick clamping of existing die-casting tools onto the table of a die-casting machine for aluminium alloys. Based on a strength analysis of the back plate of the die-casting tool and the additional elements, the suitability of the proposed design solution is evaluated, with emphasis on loads occurring when the die-casting tool is in a fully open state, as these are the highest. An analysis of the series change was carried out, revealing that heating of the die-casting tool is the main cause of the long changeover time. Nevertheless, our focus was on the second point, as the first is already being addressed in parallel with another project. The second longest time in the changeover was during the clamping of the die-casting tool to the machine table. With quick clamping, the die-casting tool can be mounted faster on the machine table and heating can begin earlier. The strength analysis of the additional element confirmed its adequacy.
|
