Constant temperature forging apparatus and constant temperature forging method

Abstract

To provide a constant temperature forging device which can easily perform constant temperature forging in an inert gas.SOLUTION: A constant temperature forging device is so configured as to form an opening / closing type chamber 1 in which an inert gas is filled, by an upper metal mold heating furnace 1a configured from an upper heat-proof bellows part 12a, a movable mold pressing part 2 and an upper surrounding plate 11a, and a lower metal mold heating furnace 1b configured from a lower heat-proof bellows part 12b, a mold cradle 5 and a lower surrounding plate 11b, to enable take-in and -take-out of a raw material W to be processed between an upper pressing member 4 and a lower pressing member 6 in a state that the chamber 1 is opened, and to pinch the raw material W to be processed by the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 in a state that the chamber 1 is closed and maintain a prescribed high temperature state by an upper heater 7a and a lower heater 7b in the pinched state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1A

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a constant temperature forging apparatus and a constant temperature forging method for processing a workpiece by sandwiching and pressing it at a high temperature in an inert gas atmosphere.

Background Art

[0002] Forged products of high-strength alloys and high heat-resistant alloys are used for members of aircraft engines that require high quality. With the demands for reducing fuel consumption and environmental impact of aircraft, Ni-based super heat-resistant alloys used for high-temperature turbine disks of aircraft engines are required to have higher temperatures and higher strengths. Currently, this turbine disk is processed and formed by constant temperature forging (forging in which the workpiece and the die are controlled at the same temperature) (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] As an example of a constant temperature forging apparatus, which is a constant temperature processing apparatus, the same name and the same reference numerals as those described in the specification and the attached drawings of Patent Document 1 will be used for explanation. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a conventional constant temperature forging apparatus. In the figure, inside the occupied space of the chamber 1, an upper die 4, which is an upper pressing member, is fixed to the lower side of the upper base plate 2, and a lower die 6, which is a lower pressing material, is fixed to the upper side of the lower base plate 5. Then, when the upper die 4 rises, a heating material M, which is a workpiece, is carried between the upper die 4 and the lower die 6, and the upper die 4 is lowered to perform forging processing on the heating material M.

[0004] When manufacturing a forged product by forging the heating material M, the heating material M is heated by heating coils 7a and 7b arranged so as to surround the upper die 4 and the lower die 6. These heating coils 7a and 7b are lifted and lowered by being guided by upright columns (not shown) to uniformly heat the heating material M. And, in order to prevent oxidation of the upper die 4, the lower die 6, etc., part or all of this constant temperature forging apparatus is heated, for example, in an inert gas atmosphere. However, since the occupied space of the chamber 1 is large compared to the heating material M, there is a problem that the amount of inert gas used becomes extremely large.

[0005] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a pressure device for diffusion welding, and proposes a structure in which the inside of a cylindrical cover member 50, which is arranged to surround the outside of the heating element 19, is filled with an inert gas to prevent oxidation of the upper and lower forging dies 9 and 10. However, there was a problem in that the amount of inert gas used was enormous because the space occupied by the cylindrical cover member 50 was large. Patent Document 3 discloses a forging apparatus in which a weld body 4 is joined by diffusion welding using a heating heater 5 inside a welding chamber 7. The inside of the welding chamber 7 is filled with a welding atmosphere such as a vacuum or inert gas. However, there was a problem in that the amount of inert gas used was enormous because the space occupied by the welding chamber 7 is large compared to the weld body 4. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-39983 [Patent Document 2] Special Publication No. 55-23696 [Patent Document 3] Special Publication No. 56-45711 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] As mentioned above, with the recent development of super heat-resistant steels with improved high-temperature strength, constant-temperature forging exceeding 1000°C is required for processing and forming these materials, necessitating constant-temperature forging using molds that can withstand high temperatures. In particular, Mo alloy molds maintain sufficient strength even at high temperatures (1000-1100°C), making them a useful mold for constant-temperature forging at high temperatures. However, because Mo alloy molds have extremely poor resistance to high-temperature oxidation, constant-temperature forging using these molds must be performed in a vacuum or inert gas environment, and conventional apparatuses described in Patent Document 1 required a vacuum chamber. Forging apparatuses with attached vacuum chambers had the problem of having a complex (expensive) configuration and significantly reduced work efficiency.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve these problems and to provide a constant-temperature forging apparatus and method that enable easy constant-temperature forging in an inert gas environment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] [1] The constant temperature forging apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1 for example, comprises an upper pressing member 4 and a lower pressing member 6 for processing a workpiece W by clamping it, an upper heater 7a provided to be movable vertically along the outer peripheral wall of the upper pressing member 4, a lower heater 7b provided to be movable vertically along the outer peripheral wall of the lower pressing member 6, an upper surrounding plate 11a disposed on the outer peripheral wall side of the upper heater 7a, a lower surrounding plate 11b disposed on the outer peripheral wall side of the lower heater 7b, a movable die pressing part 2 fixed to the upper pressing member 4, a die support base 5 fixed to the lower pressing member 6, an upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a connecting the movable die pressing part 2 and the upper surrounding plate 11a, and a lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b connecting the die support base 5 and the lower surrounding plate 11b, and is a constant temperature processing apparatus. An upper mold heating furnace 1a, comprising an upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a, a movable mold pressing section 2, and an upper surrounding plate 11a, and a lower mold heating furnace 1b, comprising a lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b, a mold support base 5, and a lower surrounding plate 11b, form an openable and closable chamber 1 filled with inert gas. The device is characterized in that, when the chamber 1 is open, the workpiece W can be inserted into and removed from between the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6, and when the chamber 1 is closed, the workpiece W is clamped between the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6, and in the clamped state, the upper heater 7a and the lower heater 7b are configured to maintain a predetermined high temperature.

[0010] [2] In the constant temperature forging apparatus [1] of the present invention, preferably, at least one of an upper inert gas ejection hole 10a provided on the movable mold pressing part 2 side of the gap formed between the upper heater 7a and the upper pressing member 4, and a lower inert gas ejection hole 10b provided on the mold support base 5 side of the gap formed between the lower heater 7b and the lower pressing member 6 is provided, and when the chamber 1 is closed, it is preferable that inert gas be supplied from at least one of the upper inert gas ejection hole 10a and the lower inert gas ejection hole 10b. [3] In the constant temperature forging apparatus [1] or [2] of the present invention, preferably, an oxygen concentration sensor 15 is further provided to measure the oxygen concentration inside the chamber 1 when the chamber 1 is closed, and the processing of clamping the workpiece W with the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 is started after the oxygen concentration inside the chamber 1 measured by the oxygen concentration sensor 15 falls below a predetermined reference value. [4] In the constant temperature forging apparatus [1] to [3] of the present invention, it is preferable to further provide a packing 13 that prevents the inert gas from leaking to the outside from the contact surface of the upper surrounding plate 11a and the lower surrounding plate 11b when the chamber 1 is closed.

[0011] [5] The constant temperature forging method of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2 for example, involves raising the clamping surface of the upper pressing member 4 on the side of the lower pressing member 6 to a predetermined temperature determined based on the processing temperature of the workpiece W using the upper heater 7a (S200), raising the clamping surface of the lower pressing member 6 on the side of the upper pressing member 4 to the predetermined temperature using the lower heater 7b (S205), placing the workpiece W on the predetermined processing positions of the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 with the chamber 1 open (S210), supplying inert gas to the inside of the chamber 1 with the chamber 1 closed (S215), and the chamber The device is characterized by the following steps: determining whether the oxygen concentration inside 1 has fallen below a predetermined value (S220); continuing to supply the inert gas if it exceeds the predetermined value (S215); increasing the power supplied to the upper heater 7a and lower heater 7b after the oxygen concentration has fallen below the predetermined value (S225); determining whether the temperature of the workpiece W has reached a target temperature (S230); processing the workpiece W after the target temperature has been reached (S235); and, after the workpiece W has been processed, opening the chamber 1 and removing the workpiece W from the predetermined processing position (S240).

[0012] [6] The constant temperature forging apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Figure 3 for example, comprises an upper pressing member 4 and a lower pressing member 6 for processing a workpiece W by clamping it, an upper heater 7a provided to be movable vertically along the outer peripheral wall of the upper pressing member 4, a lower heater 7b provided along the outer peripheral wall of the lower pressing member 6, an upper surrounding plate 11a disposed on the outer peripheral wall side of the upper heater 7a, a lower surrounding plate 11b disposed on the outer peripheral wall side of the lower heater 7b, a movable die pressing part 2 fixed to the upper pressing member 4, a die support base 5 fixed to the lower pressing member 6, and an upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a connecting the movable die pressing part 2 and the upper surrounding plate 11a, and is a constant temperature processing apparatus. An upper mold heating furnace 1a, comprising an upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a, a movable mold pressing section 2, and an upper surrounding plate 11a, and a lower mold heating furnace 1b, comprising a mold support base 5 and a lower surrounding plate 11b, form an openable and closable chamber 1 filled with inert gas. In the state where the chamber 1 is open, the workpiece W can be inserted and removed between the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6. In the state where the chamber 1 is closed, the workpiece W is clamped by the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6, and in the clamped state, a predetermined high temperature state is maintained by the upper heater 7a and the lower heater 7b.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the constant temperature forging apparatus of the present invention, constant temperature forging using a Mo alloy mold at high temperature can be carried out without using a vacuum chamber. Forging can be carried out in an environment where the oxygen concentration is greatly reduced by atmosphere control, and a Mo alloy mold with poor oxidation resistance can also be used at high temperature for a long time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] [Figure 1A] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a constant temperature forging apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where the chamber is closed. [Figure 1B] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a constant temperature forging apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where the chamber is open. [Figure 1C] It is a perspective view showing an example of an annular body having an inert gas ejection hole. [Figure 2] It is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the constant temperature forging method of the present invention. [Figure 3A] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a constant temperature forging apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where the chamber is closed. [Figure 3B] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a constant temperature forging apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention, showing the state where the chamber is open. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a conventional constant temperature forging apparatus.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the configuration of a constant-temperature forging apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the state where the chamber is closed, and (B) shows the state where the chamber is open. In the figure, chamber 1 is an openable and closable space into which an inert gas is introduced. In the closed state, it is composed of an upper die heating furnace 1a and a lower die heating furnace 1b. The upper die heating furnace 1a is composed of an upper heat-resistant bellows part 12a, a movable die pressing part 2, an upper surrounding plate 11a, and an upper heater 7a. The lower die heating furnace 1b is composed of a lower heat-resistant bellows part 12b, a die pedestal 5, a lower surrounding plate 11b, and a lower heater 7b.

[0016] The movable die pressing part 2 has a pressing member 4 fixed thereto and is accompanied by a mechanism (not shown) for moving the pressing member 4 up and down within the chamber 1. The upper pressing member 4 presses and processes the workpiece W together with the lower pressing member 6. The upper heater 7a is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the outer peripheral wall side of the upper pressing member 4, and for example, an electric heating coil is used. The upper surrounding plate 11a is arranged so as to move integrally with the vertical movement of the upper heater 7a on the outer peripheral wall side of the upper heater 7a, and is composed of a heat-resistant material that can withstand a high temperature of about 1000°C, for example. The upper heat-resistant bellows part 12a connects the movable die pressing part 2 and the upper surrounding plate 11a. It is advisable to use a multilayer fabric composed of a heat-resistant material that can withstand a high temperature of about 400°C to 1000°C, for example, and it has an airtightness sufficient to prevent the inert gas inside the chamber 1 from leaking to the outside. The upper inert gas ejection hole 10a is provided on the movable die pressing part 2 side of the gap formed between the upper heater 7a and the upper pressing member 4.

[0017] The mold support base 5 has the lower pressing member 6 fixed to it. The lower heater 7b is provided so as to be movable vertically along the outer peripheral wall of the lower pressing member 6, and for example, an electric heating coil is used. The lower surrounding plate 11b is provided on the outer peripheral wall side of the lower heater 7b so as to move together with the vertical movement of the lower heater 7b, and is made of a heat-resistant material that can withstand high temperatures of, for example, about 1000°C. The lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b connects the mold support base 5 and the lower surrounding plate 11b, and is preferably made of a multilayer woven fabric made of a heat-resistant material that can withstand high temperatures of, for example, about 400°C to 1000°C, and has an airtightness sufficient to prevent the inert gas inside the chamber 1 from leaking to the outside.

[0018] For the upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a and the lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b, for example, a flame-retardant fabric composed of meta-aramid fibers may be used for the outer layer, and a non-combustible fabric composed of a composite material of aluminum foil and glass fiber may be used for the inner layer. For the meta-aramid fibers, for example, Conex® manufactured by Teijin or Nomex® manufactured by DuPont may be used. For the non-combustible fabric, Jintex® manufactured by Gentex Corporation may be used. Jintex is a multilayer structure containing aluminum foil and base fibers, and is a high-temperature heat shielding material that has excellent flexibility, abrasion resistance, is less prone to peeling, and maintains high infrared reflection performance. For the base fibers, aramid fibers, Kevlar® manufactured by DuPont, glass fibers, etc. The flame-retardant fabric of the outer layer has a thickness of, for example, 0.5 to 0.8 mm. The non-combustible fabric of the inner layer has a thickness of, for example, 0.7 to 0.8 mm. The combined thickness of the two layers is only 1-1.6mm, allowing for smooth extension and folding of the bellows.

[0019] The lower inert gas outlet 10b is provided on the mold support base 5 side of the gap formed between the lower heater 7b and the lower pressing member 6. The upper inert gas outlet 10a and the lower inert gas outlet 10b are openings provided in an annular body, for example, as shown in Figure 1C. Providing both the upper inert gas outlet 10a and the lower inert gas outlet 10b allows for rapid filling of the chamber with inert gas, but this is not the only option; filling of the chamber with inert gas is possible even if only one of them is provided.

[0020] The oxygen concentration sensor 15 measures the oxygen concentration inside the chamber when the chamber is closed. Preferably, the system is configured to start the process of clamping the workpiece W with the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 only after the oxygen concentration inside the chamber measured by the oxygen concentration sensor 15 falls below a predetermined reference value. The packing 13 prevents inert gas from leaking to the outside from the contact surface between the upper enclosure plate 11a and the lower enclosure plate 11b when the chamber is closed. To ensure that the packing 13 is securely installed, flanges may be provided at the ends of the upper enclosure plate 11a and the lower enclosure plate 11b, which form the contact surface between the upper enclosure plate 11a and the lower enclosure plate 11b.

[0021] The operation of the apparatus configured in this way will now be described. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the constant temperature forging method of the present invention. First, the upper heater 7a heats the clamping surface of the upper pressing member 4 on the side of the lower pressing member 6 to a predetermined temperature determined based on the processing temperature of the workpiece W (S200). Simultaneously, the lower heater 7b heats the clamping surface of the lower pressing member 6 on the side of the upper pressing member 4 to the predetermined temperature (S205). In this case, the chamber 1 may be open or closed. When closed, the heat from the upper heater 7a and the lower heater 7b does not escape to the outside, so the workpiece W can be heated to the predetermined temperature determined based on its processing temperature more quickly. This predetermined temperature is preferably set to a temperature 20°C to 200°C lower than the processing temperature of the workpiece W, but is not limited to this.

[0022] Next, with Chamber 1 in the open state, the workpiece W is placed on the predetermined processing positions of the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 (S210). With Chamber 1 open, the upper mold heating furnace 1a and the lower mold heating furnace 1b are open to the outside air. In the open upper mold heating furnace 1a, the upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a is folded. The upper heater 7a and the upper surrounding plate 11a are held in an upward position. The movable mold pressing section 2 is also held in an upward position. The movable mold pressing section 2 and the upper pressing member 4 are fixed together, but the amount of movement of the upper heater 7a and the upper surrounding plate 11a is larger than the amount of movement of the movable mold pressing section 2 and the upper pressing member 4, and the clamping surface of the movable mold pressing section 2 is exposed at a small distance from the end face formed by the upper heater 7a and the upper surrounding plate 11a. In the open lower mold heating furnace 1b, the lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b is folded. The lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b are held in a lowered position. The mold support base 5 is also held in a lowered position. The mold support base 5 and the lower pressing member 4 are fixed together, but the amount of movement of the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b is greater than the amount of movement of the mold support base 5 and the lower pressing member 4, and the clamping surface of the mold support base 5 is exposed at a small distance from the end face formed by the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b.

[0023] Next, with chamber 1 closed, an inert gas is supplied to the inside of chamber 1 (S215). When chamber 1 is closed, it has enough airtightness to maintain the state in which the upper mold heating furnace 1a and the lower mold heating furnace 1b are closed off from the outside air and filled with inert gas. In the closed upper mold heating furnace 1a, the upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a is extended. The upper heater 7a and the upper surrounding plate 11a are held in a state moved toward the lower mold heating furnace 1b. The movable mold pressing part 2 may be in the same position as when chamber 1 is open, or it may be held in a state moved toward the mold support base 5. The amount of movement of the upper heater 7a and the upper surrounding plate 11a is larger than the amount of movement of the movable mold pressing part 2 and the upper pressing member 4, and the clamping surface of the movable mold pressing part 2 is shielded from the outside air by the end face formed by the upper heater 7a and the upper surrounding plate 11a. In the closed lower mold heating furnace 1b, the lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b is extended. The lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b are held in a position moved toward the upper mold heating furnace 1a. The mold support 5 may be in the same position as when the chamber 1 is open, or it may be held in a position moved toward the movable mold pressing section 2. The amount of movement of the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b is greater than the amount of movement of the mold support 5 and the lower pressing member 4, and the clamping surface of the mold support 5 is shielded from the outside air by the end face formed by the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b.

[0024] Next, the oxygen concentration sensor 15 is used to determine if the oxygen concentration inside the chamber 1 has fallen below a predetermined value (S220). If the oxygen concentration inside the chamber 1 exceeds the predetermined value, the answer is NO, and the supply of inert gas is continued (S215). If the oxygen concentration inside the chamber 1 falls below the predetermined value, the answer is YES, and the power supplied to the upper heater 7a and lower heater 7b is increased (S225), and it is determined whether the temperature of the workpiece W has reached the target temperature (S230). If the temperature of the workpiece W is below the target temperature, the answer is NO, and heating of the workpiece W is continued. If the temperature of the workpiece W reaches the target temperature, the answer is YES, and the workpiece W is pressed between the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 for processing (S235). Finally, after the workpiece W has been processed, the chamber 1 is opened, and the workpiece W is removed from the predetermined processing position (S240).

[0025] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the upper mold heating furnace 1a, consisting of an upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a, a movable mold pressing section 2, and an upper surrounding plate 11a, and the lower mold heating furnace 1b, consisting of a lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b, a mold support base 5, and a lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b, are shown to both expand and contract. However, it is also possible to configure the upper mold heating furnace 1a to move up and down, while the lower mold heating furnace 1b does not move up and down in conjunction with the opening and closing of the chamber. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a constant-temperature forging apparatus showing another embodiment of the present invention, where (A) shows the chamber in a closed state and (B) shows the chamber in an open state. In Figure 3, components that perform the same function as those in Figure 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the mold support base 5 and the lower pressing member 6 are the same as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. The lower heater 7b is provided along the outer peripheral wall side of the lower pressing member 6, and for example, an electric heating coil is used. The lower surrounding plate 11b is provided on the outer peripheral wall side of the lower heater 7b and is made of a heat-resistant material that can withstand high temperatures of approximately 400°C to 1000°C. The lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b is not provided. The lower inert gas ejection hole 10b is located on the mold support base 5 side of the gap formed between the lower heater 7b and the lower pressing member 6.

[0027] In the figure, Chamber 1 is an openable and closable space into which an inert gas is introduced, and in the closed state, it comprises an upper mold heating furnace 1a and a lower mold heating furnace 1b. The upper mold heating furnace 1a comprises an upper heat-resistant bellows section 12a, a movable mold pressing section 2, an upper surrounding plate 11a, and an upper heater 7a. The lower mold heating furnace 1b comprises a mold support base 5, a lower surrounding plate 11b, and a lower heater 7b.

[0028] The operation of the apparatus configured in this way will now be explained. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the operation follows the flowchart shown in Figure 2. Note that the operation of the upper mold heating furnace 1a is the same as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, so the explanation will be omitted. First, following S200 and S205, with the chamber 1 in the open position, the workpiece W is placed on the predetermined processing positions of the upper pressing member 4 and the lower pressing member 6 (S210). In the lower mold heating furnace 1b with the chamber open, the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b are held fixed to the mold support base 5. The clamping surface of the mold support base 5 is exposed at a short distance from the end face formed by the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b.

[0029] Next, with chamber 1 closed, an inert gas is supplied to the inside of chamber 1 (S215). Even in the lower mold heating furnace 1b with chamber 1 closed, the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b are held fixed to the mold support base 5. The mold support base 5 may be in the same position as when chamber 1 is open, or it may be held in a state moved in the direction of the movable mold pressing part 2. The clamping surface of the mold support base 5 is shielded from the outside air by the end face formed by the lower heater 7b and the lower surrounding plate 11b. The subsequent processing steps are the same as those in steps S220 to S240. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 3, there is no need to provide the lower heat-resistant bellows section 12b, thus simplifying the device configuration. [Industrial applicability]

[0030] As detailed above, the constant temperature processing apparatus according to the present invention allows for the creation of a mold heating furnace whose atmosphere can be controlled by inert gases (Ar, N2), and a heating method that suppresses mold oxidation has been developed. This makes it possible to perform constant temperature forging using Mo alloy molds at high temperatures without using a vacuum chamber, resulting in a dramatic improvement in work efficiency. Furthermore, the constant-temperature processing apparatus according to the present invention enables forging in an environment where the oxygen concentration is significantly reduced by atmosphere control, allowing even Mo alloy molds with poor oxidation resistance to be used at high temperatures for extended periods. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0031] 1 Chamber 1a Upper mold heating furnace 1b Lower mold heating furnace 2. Rambed plate (movable mold pressing section, upper base) 4. Upper mold (upper pressing member) 5. Bed plate (mold support, lower base) 6. Lower mold (lower pressing member) 7a, 7b Heater (heating coil) 8. Inert gas supply pipe 9. Inert gas supply valve 10a, 10b Inert gas outlet 11a, 11b Surrounding board 12a, 12b Heat-resistant bellows 13 Gasket 15. Oxygen Sensor W Work material M heating material

Claims

1. An upper pressing member and a lower pressing member that process the workpiece by clamping it, An upper heater is provided that is movable in the vertical direction along the outer peripheral wall side of the upper pressing member, A lower heater is provided so as to be movable in the vertical direction along the outer peripheral wall side of the lower pressing member, An upper surrounding plate is provided on the outer wall side of the upper heater, A lower surrounding plate is provided on the outer periphery wall side of the lower heater, A movable mold pressing portion fixed to the upper pressing member, A mold support base fixed to the aforementioned lower pressing member, An upper heat-resistant bellows section connecting the movable mold pressing section and the upper surrounding plate, A lower heat-resistant bellows section connecting the mold support base and the lower surrounding plate, A constant temperature processing apparatus equipped with, The upper heat-resistant bellows section, the movable mold pressing section, the upper surrounding plate, the lower heat-resistant bellows section, the mold support base, and the lower surrounding plate form an openable and closable chamber filled with inert gas. When the chamber is open, the workpiece can be inserted into and removed from between the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member. A constant temperature processing apparatus characterized in that, when the chamber is closed, the workpiece is clamped between the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member, and the upper heater and the lower heater are configured to maintain a predetermined high temperature state in the clamped state.

2. An upper inert gas ejection hole is provided on the movable mold pressing portion side of the gap formed between the upper heater and the upper pressing member, The gap formed between the lower heater and the lower pressing member is provided on the mold support side, and at least one of these is provided, The constant temperature processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that when the chamber is closed, the apparatus is configured to supply inert gas from at least one of the upper inert gas outlet and the lower inert gas outlet.

3. Furthermore, the system includes an oxygen concentration sensor that measures the oxygen concentration inside the chamber when the chamber is closed. The constant temperature processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is configured to start processing by clamping the workpiece between the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member after the oxygen concentration inside the chamber, as measured by the oxygen concentration sensor, falls below a predetermined reference value.

4. Furthermore, the constant temperature processing apparatus according to claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that a packing is provided to prevent the inert gas from leaking to the outside from the contact surface between the upper surrounding plate and the lower surrounding plate when the chamber is closed.

5. The upper heater raises the clamping surface of the upper pressing member on the side of the lower pressing member to a predetermined temperature determined based on the processing temperature of the workpiece, and the lower heater raises the clamping surface of the lower pressing member on the side of the upper pressing member to the predetermined temperature. With the chamber open, the workpiece is placed on the predetermined processing positions of the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member. With the chamber closed, an inert gas is supplied to the inside of the chamber. The system determines whether the oxygen concentration inside the chamber falls below a predetermined value. If it exceeds the predetermined value, the supply of the inert gas is continued. After the oxygen concentration falls below the predetermined value, the power supplied to the upper and lower heaters is increased. After the temperature of the workpiece reaches the target temperature, the workpiece is processed. After the workpiece has been processed, with the chamber open, the workpiece is removed from the predetermined processing position, The state in which the chamber is open is such that the upper heat-resistant bellows section is folded, the clamping surface of the movable mold pressing part fixed to the upper pressing member is exposed from the end face formed by the upper heater and the upper surrounding plate, and the lower heat-resistant bellows section is folded, the clamping surface of the mold support fixed to the lower pressing member is exposed from the end face formed by the lower heater and the lower surrounding plate. The closed chamber is configured such that the upper heat-resistant bellows section is extended, and the clamping surface of the movable mold pressing section is shielded from the outside air by the end face formed by the upper heater and the upper surrounding plate, while the lower heat-resistant bellows section is extended, and the clamping surface of the mold support is shielded from the outside air by the end face formed by the lower heater and the lower surrounding plate. A constant temperature processing method characterized by the following.

6. An upper pressing member and a lower pressing member that process the workpiece by clamping it, An upper heater is provided that is movable in the vertical direction along the outer peripheral wall side of the upper pressing member, A lower heater is provided along the outer peripheral wall side of the lower pressing member, An upper surrounding plate is provided on the outer wall side of the upper heater, A lower surrounding plate is provided on the outer periphery wall side of the lower heater, A movable mold pressing portion fixed to the upper pressing member, A mold support base fixed to the aforementioned lower pressing member, An upper heat-resistant bellows section connecting the movable mold pressing section and the upper surrounding plate, A constant temperature processing apparatus equipped with, The upper heat-resistant bellows section, the movable mold pressing section, the upper surrounding plate, the mold support base, and the lower surrounding plate form an openable and closable chamber filled with inert gas. When the chamber is open, the workpiece can be inserted into and removed from between the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member. A constant temperature processing apparatus characterized in that, when the chamber is closed, the workpiece is clamped between the upper pressing member and the lower pressing member, and the upper heater and the lower heater are configured to maintain a predetermined high temperature state in the clamped state.

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