Apparatus and method for lubricating and cleaning out die-casting equipment

摘要

The fill chamber bore of a die-casting machine is lubricated and prepared for casting by inserting an elongated member into the die-end of the bore while spraying with lubricant. During withdrawal of the elongated member, a conical spray of gas directed toward the die-end drys the lubricant and sweeps vapor and flash, or solder, out of the die-end. The elongated member is preferably a flexible carrier which is guided between the bore and a path between the open die halves lateral to the bore. The lateral path is perferably defined by a tubular member supported by a vertical carriage mounted on a vertical mast for alignment of the flexible carrier with the fill chamber bore when the dies are open. The vertical mast can be mounted on a horizontal carriage moveable along a horizontal bore to preclude interference with normal operation of the die-casting machine. The flexible carrier can be housed in a arcuate chamber pivoted on the side of the fixed platen and swung between the open dies to align the flexible carrier with the fill chamber bore.