METODO DE CONTROL DE LOS MOVIMIENTOS DE LAS PLACAS PRENSADORAS DE UN APARATO DE MOLDEO DE COLADA CONTINUA

La presente invención se refiere a un método de control de los movimientos de las placas prensadoras (2, 3) de un aparato de moldeo de colada contínua, y a un aparato para llevar a cabo el método. Un aparato de este tipo comprende geralmente una cámara de moldeo (1) definida entre dos placas prensadoras (2, 3). Una de las placas prensadoras (3) puede articularse para abrir la cámara de moldeo (1). El ciclo de producción de un aparato de dicho tipo comprende, aparte de cargar la cámara (1) con material de moldeo, varios movimientos de las placas prensadoras (2, 3). Un movimiento de una placa (2, 3) comienza antes de que haya finalizado el movimiento precedente de la otra placa. El sistema hidráulico del aparato comprende dos bombas (30, 31), una bomba para cada accionador (10, 11) asociada con una de las placas prensadoras (2, 3). The movement of squeeze plates of a string molding apparatus, which comprises a molding chamber between a squeeze plate and a pivoted squeeze plate is controlled by specific movement of the plates in a specific order. At least one of the squeeze plates is provided with a pattern. The squeeze plate is moved alone or with the pivoted plate to press the mold. The pivoted plate is moved out of the chamber and pivoted to strip it from the mold and open the chamber. The squeeze plate plate is moved further into and past both the molding chamber and pivoted plate to transport the mold beyond pivoted plate. The squeeze plate is then moved back into the chamber to strip it from the mold and resume its starting position. The pivoted plate is pivoted and moved back to the molding chamber to resume its starting position and to close the molding chamber. AN Independent claim is also included for: a string molding apparatus in which the squeeze plate is moved by a first linear hydraulic actuator (10) and the pivoted plate by a second linear hydraulic actuator (11). A source of hydraulic fluid (30, 31) under pressure is connected through supply/return conduits to the actuators. The hydraulic fluid source comprises a first (30) and second (31) hydraulic pump, connected to respective actuators.