Induction Quenching Machine Fixture Detachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fixture hardening, workpieces shrink onto calibration mandrels during cooling, making detachment difficult and causing material wear, and existing methods require separate heating and tempering processes, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A hardening machine with an integrated inductor for heating and tempering, which allows the inductor to interact with the workpiece on the calibration mandrel, enabling heating and expansion to create play for easy detachment without material wear, eliminating the need for additional furnaces and handling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If workpiece is cooled during fixture hardening, then workpiece shrinks onto calibration mandrel, but detachment becomes difficult and causes material wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the workpiece to tempering temperature after fixture hardening, which causes thermal expansion and creates play between the workpiece and calibration mandrel. This parameter change (temperature increase) enables easy detachment without material wear on the mandrel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thermal expansion by heating the fixture-hardened workpiece in the same machine, causing the workpiece to expand relative to the calibration mandrel. This thermal expansion creates the necessary clearance for removing the workpiece without damaging the calibration mandrel's surface.
2Manufacturing precision
If separate heating and tempering processes are used, then workpiece can be properly treated, but process complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate processes (heating, fixture hardening, and tempering) into a single integrated machine. The inductor for induction heating and the cooling device for quenching are combined in one machine, eliminating the need for separate furnaces and transport systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardening machine is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a heating device (via inductor) and a tempering device (via cooling device). This universal machine performs multiple functions that previously required separate specialized equipment.
3Reliability
If additional furnaces and handling systems are used for heating and tempering, then workpiece treatment is complete, but handling time and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the heating function and tempering function within the same hardening machine, eliminating the need for separate furnaces and intermediate handling operations. The workpiece remains in the machine throughout the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous processing by performing heating, fixture hardening, and tempering in sequence within the same machine without interrupting the workpiece handling. The inductor and cooling device operate in succession, maintaining continuous useful action on the workpiece.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for cost-effective fixture hardening by reducing material wear on the mandrel, eliminating the need for separate heating and tempering processes, and ensuring uniform and quick heating and cooling of workpieces.
Implementation Method 1
an inductor (3) for heating a workpiece (2) placed in the hardening machine (1)
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device (7) for quenching the heated workpiece (2)
Implementation Method 3
the fixture-hardened workpiece (2) held on the calibrating mandrel (5) is heated by induction and thereby expanded relative to the calibrating mandrel (5)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a quenching machine (1) for fixture quenching a workpiece (2). Said quenching machine (1) comprises an inductor (3) for heating the workpiece (2) introduced into the quenching machine (1). The invention also relates to a method in which a workpiece (2) introduced into the quenching machine (1) is heated by induction.