Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for guiding a rod-like ceramic molding, continuously extruded from a mold and extending from the mold while not yet cut, to a cutter for cutting the rod-like ceramic molding into ceramic blocks, each having a predetermined length. The conveying apparatus has pads, each having a placement surface for placing the rod-like ceramic molding while being in contact with the outer circumference of the rod-like ceramic molding, and the placement surface of the pad has an axial length shorter than a half of an axial length of the ceramic block to be cut by the cutter.

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus comprises a shaping die for producing a ceramic molded product, and a screw extruder having built therein an extruding screw (40) for mixing while leading a ceramic material forward. The extruding screw (40) includes a pressing screw portion (410) having a first lead (411) and a dispersing screw portion (420) having a second lead (421) adjacent to a forward end (412) of the pressing screw portion (410). The second lead (421) is formed in such a manner that the rear ends of all the second lead surfaces (426) at the rear end (422) of the dispersing screw portion (420) and the forward end of the first lead surface (416) at the forward end (412) of the pressing screw portion (410) are displaced from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method, for drying ceramic molded articles, are disclosed. A drying apparatus (1) comprises a drying chamber (10) for accommodating ceramic molded articles (8), a plurality of microwave generators (20) for supplying microwave energy into the drying chamber, and a conveyor (30) for charging the ceramic molded articles (8) continuously into the drying chamber (10), conveying the ceramic molded articles through the drying chamber, and delivering the ceramic molded articles from the drying chamber. The drying chamber (10) has arranged therein a plurality of the microwave generators (20) and at least a sensor (40) for detecting the distribution of the ceramic molded articles (8) in the drying chamber (10). Each microwave generator (20) is adapted to change the output thereof in accordance with the distribution of the ceramic molded articles (8) detected by the sensor (40).

Abstract: Method of fabricating at least a honeycomb body include drying a plurality of honeycomb bodies, each having a multiplicity of cells arranged in the shape of a honeycomb and having a wall thickness of 0.125 mm or less, without cracking or wrinkling in the outer peripheral skin portion of the mold. Extrusion-molded argillaceous honeycomb bodies may be dried by placement on porous ceramics trays, having a dielectric loss of 0.1 or less, a porosity of 10% or more and a sectional open area ratio of 50% or more, exposure to at least 70% humidity and simultaneous irradiation with microwaves of 1,000 to 10,000 MHz. Alternatively, extrusion-molded argillaceous honeycomb bodies may be dried by exposure to at least 70% humidity and simultaneous irradiation with microwaves of 1,000 to 10,000 MHz, after which hot air is passed through the cells of the honeycomb bodies.

Abstract: A method of holding a dried honeycomb structure 8, which is a honeycomb structure after a drying process and before a firing process, when a ceramic honeycomb structure in which bulkheads forming a number of cells are disposed in the form of a honeycomb is manufactured with a manufacturing method including a extruding process, the drying process, and the firing process. A chuck 1 having a plurality of claws 10 is used and the plurality of claws 10 are allowed to come into contact with an outer periphery 89 of the dried honeycomb structure 8 so that the direction of the pressure F applied to the dried honeycomb structure 8 by the claws is substantially parallel with the bulkheads 81.

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus capable of improving the extrusion rate of the ceramic material without a major reconstruction of a drive system is disclosed. The extrusion molding apparatus comprises screw extruders (2, 3) including housings (29, 39) having screws (4, 5) built therein, wherein the ceramic material introduced into the housings (29, 39), respectively, is extruded by way of the forward end extrusion ports by rotating the screws (4, 5). The screws (4, 5) built in the screw extruders (2, 3), respectively, include pressure portions (41, 51) with the feed rate per revolution progressively decreased toward the forward end extrusion port, and extended portions (43, 53) with the feed rate per revolution progressively increased toward the forward end extrusion port.

Abstract: A microwave continuous heating apparatus is provided with a heating compartment having openings at its front and rear portions and a transfer device which carries a to-be-heated object held thereon through the heating compartment, and microwave electric power is irradiated onto the to-be-heated object that passes through the heating compartment to heat the same. Two microwave absorbing compartments, through which the to-be-heated object passes, are connected to the front and the rear portions of the heating compartment, respectively. A plurality of reflecting plates of metal which are spaced from each other in a forward-and-backward direction are transferred by the transfer device. The object to be heated is placed between two adjacent reflecting plates. The reflecting plates are placed on the transfer device so that at least one reflecting plate is positioned in each microwave absorbing compartment, at least during irradiation of microwaves into the heating compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method, for drying ceramic molded articles, are disclosed. A drying apparatus (1) comprises a drying chamber (10) for accommodating ceramic molded articles (8), a plurality of microwave generators (20) for supplying microwave energy into the drying chamber, and a conveyor (30) for charging the ceramic molded articles (8) continuously into the drying chamber (10), conveying the ceramic molded articles through the drying chamber, and delivering the ceramic molded articles from the drying chamber. The drying chamber (10) has arranged therein a plurality of the microwave generators (20) and at least a sensor (40) for detecting the distribution of the ceramic molded articles (8) in the drying chamber (10). Each microwave generator (20) is adapted to change the output thereof in accordance with the distribution of the ceramic molded articles (8) detected by the sensor (40).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conveying apparatus for guiding a rod-like ceramic molding, continuously extruded from a mold and extending from the mold while not yet cut, to a cutter for cutting the rod-like ceramic molding into ceramic blocks, each having a predetermined length. The conveying apparatus has pads, each having a placement surface for placing the rod-like ceramic molding while being in contact with the outer circumference of the rod-like ceramic molding, and the placement surface of the pad has an axial length shorter than a half of an axial length of the ceramic block to be cut by the cutter.

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus for a ceramic molded product which is capable of passing a ceramic material smoothly through a filter unit is disclosed. The extrusion molding apparatus comprises a mold (11) for molding a ceramic molded product, a screw extruder (4) for supplying a ceramic material (80) to the mold (11), and a filter unit (3) for filtering the ceramic material (80) at the extrusion outlet (41) of the screw extruder (4). The screw extruder (4) has built therein a screw (40) for kneading while at the same time leading the ceramic material (80) forward, and further has, on the front part thereof, a spatula portion (5) adapted to move over the inlet surface (30) of the filter unit (3) and there is a predetermined distance D between the spatula portion and the inlet surface (30).

Abstract: An extrusion molding apparatus comprises a shaping die for producing a ceramic molded product, and a screw extruder having built therein an extruding screw (40) for mixing while leading a ceramic material forward. The extruding screw (40) includes a pressing screw portion (410) having a first lead (411) and a dispersing screw portion (420) having a second lead (421) adjacent to a forward end (412) of the pressing screw portion (410). The second lead (421) is formed in such a manner that the rear ends of all the second lead surfaces (426) at the rear end (422) of the dispersing screw portion (420) and the forward end of the first lead surface (416) at the forward end (412) of the pressing screw portion (410) are displaced from each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a ceramic molding having a desired shape by extruding a ceramic material includes a screw type extruder and mold connected to the distal end of the extruder through a resistance pipe. The ceramic material is pressure-fed from the extruder into the resistance pipe and is heated or cooled from round the periphery of the resistance pipe to control the shape of the ceramic molding extruded from the mold.

Abstract: An extrusion molding machine for producing a ceramic molding is provided in which a ceramic material which has not been kneaded is efficiently introduced to realize a high molding speed. The machine includes a screw extruder and a material introduction portion through which the material is introduced into the screw extruder. The material introduction portion is provided with a casing having an introduction passage connected to a housing of the screw extruder and an opening through which the material is charged, and right and left introduction screws provided in the introduction passage. The introduction screws are provided with lead portions wound in opposite directions and arranged so that the lead portions are engaged substantially in a non-contact state. The introduction screws are rotated so that the material is moved in a direction opposite to the opening at the engagement portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting method for hard, brittle materials that is capable of completely cutting through hard, brittle materials such as ceramic, glass, concrete, stone and single crystal materials without the occurrence of edge chipping and at high speed. The present invention is characterized by being a method for completely cutting through a hard, brittle material 1 using a disk-shaped rotary grindstone 2, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the outer peripheral edge 20 of rotary grindstone 2 has a V-shaped pointed shape.

Abstract: The present invention manufactures a ceramic honeycomb structure, and includes an extrusion process for forming the honeycomb form, a cutting process for cutting the honeycomb form into predetermined lengths, a drying process for drying the honeycomb form, and a firing process for firing the honeycomb form, a heating step with a honeycomb form arranged with its axis inclined away from the vertical and a rotating step for changing the arrangement of the honeycomb form by rotating it being alternated in the drying process.

Abstract: The invention provides microwave continuous heating equipment that does not need redesigning even when workpiece size or length is changed, and that can perform efficient heat treatment by continuously radiating microwave power while preventing leakage of the microwave power. The microwave continuous heating equipment comprises a heating chamber 11, microwave absorbing chambers 13 and 14 connected to the front and rear ends, respectively, of the heating chamber, and transport equipment 15 for transporting workpieces thereon through the front-end microwave absorbing chamber 13, the heating chamber 11, and the rear-end microwave absorbing chamber 14 in the order state. Each of the microwave absorbing chambers 13 and 14 includes a workpiece transport path 13a, 14a having a meandering shape to prevent the microwave power from passing straight through an opening 13b, 14b at one end and an opening 13c, 14c, at the other end.

Abstract: A microwave continuous heating apparatus is provided with a heating compartment having openings at its front and rear portions and a transfer device which carries a to-be-heated object held thereon through the heating compartment, and microwave electric power is irradiated onto the to-be-heated object that passes through the heating compartment to heat the same. Two microwave absorbing compartments, through which the to-be-heated object passes, are connected to the front and the rear portions of the heating compartment, respectively. A plurality of reflecting plates of metal which are spaced from each other in a forward-and-backward direction are transferred by the transfer device. The object to be heated is placed between two adjacent reflecting plates. The reflecting plates are placed on the transfer device so that at least one reflecting plate is positioned in each microwave absorbing compartment, at least during irradiation of microwaves into the heating compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cutting method for hard, brittle materials that is capable of completely cutting through hard, brittle materials such as ceramic, glass, concrete, stone and single crystal materials without the occurrence of edge chipping and at high speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of holding a dried honeycomb structure 8, which is a honeycomb structure after a drying process and before a firing process, when a ceramic honeycomb structure in which bulkheads forming a number of cells are disposed in the form of a honeycomb is manufactured with a manufacturing method comprising a extruding process, said drying process, and said firing process. A chuck 1 having a plurality of claws 10 is used and the plurality of claws 10 are allowed to come into contact with an outer periphery 89 of said dried honeycomb structure 8 so that the direction of the pressure F applied to said dried honeycomb structure 8 by said claws is substantially parallel with said bulkheads 81.

Abstract: In a method of producing a ceramic molding 8 having a desired shape by extruding a ceramic material 80 pressure-fed into a resistance pipe 3 from a mold 4 by using a production apparatus including a screw type extruder 10 and the mold 4 connected to the distal end of the extruder 10 through the resistance pipe 3, the ceramic material 80 pressure-fed from the extruder 10 into the resistance pipe 3 is heated or cooled from round the periphery of the resistance pipe 3 so as to control the shape of the ceramic molding 8 extruded from the mold 4.