Granted Patent B2

US 7,516,774 · App. 11/940,525 · Granted Apr 14, 2009

Abstract

Claims (20)

1. A method for operating an automated reciprocator in a die casting system, comprising:

moving an automated reciprocator between two die halves,

moving a safety bar ahead of the reciprocator, slidably supporting the safety bar from the reciprocator, and

detecting contact of the safety bar with another object in the path of the reciprocator.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the safety bar is moved through a space at least as large as the space through which the automated reciprocator is moved.

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

upon detecting the contact of the safety bar with another object in the path of the reciprocator, stopping operation of the reciprocator.

4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

upon detecting the contact of the safety bar with another object in the path of the reciprocator, stopping movement of the reciprocator.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

applying fluid to the dies with the reciprocator.

6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising:

upon detecting the contact of the safety bar with another object in the path of the reciprocator, stopping application of fluid to the dies.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

upon detecting the contact of the safety bar with another object in the path of the reciprocator, reversing the direction of motion of the reciprocator.

8. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

upon detecting the contact of the safety bar with another object in the path of the reciprocator, returning the reciprocator to a rest position above the dies.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a position sensor between the safety bar and the reciprocator,

using an output of the position sensor to detect the contact of the safety bar with an object in the path of the reciprocator.

Assignments (18)