Modular Stacked Loading Tooling for Uniform Thermochemical Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading tooling for metal parts during heat treatment or thermochemical processes either results in non-uniform treatment due to uneven gas flow or compromises on loading capacity to achieve uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A modular loading tooling system with stacked stages, each with adjustable support arms and legs, allowing for different part dimensions and shapes to be supported uniformly, made from high-temperature resistant materials like carbon/carbon composite or ceramic matrix composites, enabling optimized oven filling ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If parts are loaded into an oven in bulk in baskets where parts are jumbled, then the loading capacity of the oven is maximized, but the treatment uniformity deteriorates due to non-uniform gas flow around each part
Solution Approach 1:
The loading tooling is divided into multiple loading stages (first loading stage, second loading stage, etc.) that can be stacked vertically. Each stage has its own rack and support arms, creating separate treatment zones that allow uniform gas flow while maintaining high loading capacity through vertical stacking
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from horizontal bulk loading to vertical stacked loading stages. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the system achieves both high loading capacity (through stacking) and uniform treatment (through organized support structures on each stage)
2Manufacturing precision
If loading tooling with specific support devices is used to support parts in an ordered manner, then treatment uniformity is improved, but the loading capacity of the oven deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the loading tooling into multiple independent stages, each capable of ordered part support. This segmentation allows the oven to process different quantities of parts across multiple stages while maintaining uniform treatment on each stage
Solution Approach 2:
Each loading stage is designed with universal support arms that can accommodate parts of different shapes and dimensions. The support arms can be adjusted and configured to handle various part types, making the system both uniform in treatment and versatile in capacity
3Adaptability or versatility
If loading tooling is designed to accommodate parts of different shapes and dimensions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arms are segmented into multiple independent elements on each loading stage. Each support arm can be independently positioned and configured, allowing adaptation to different part geometries without requiring complete redesign of the entire loading tooling system
Solution Approach 2:
The loading tooling incorporates adjustable and reconfigurable support arms that can dynamically adapt to different part configurations. The support arms can be moved, repositioned, and reconfigured to match various part shapes and sizes, providing versatility without permanent complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A loading tooling for thermochemical treatment of parts includes at least first and second loading stages stacked one on the other in separable manner, each loading stage including a rack extending in a horizontal plane. The rack is supported by four legs extending in a vertical direction with the legs of the second loading stage standing on the legs of the first loading stage. The rack has a plurality of support arms secured thereto, with the plurality of support arms of the first loading stage presenting an arrangement that is different from the arrangement of the plurality of support arms of the second loading stage.