Contour Hardening, Inc.

Contour Hardeing, Inc.

Contour Hardenting, Inc.

Max E Stewart

John M Storm

Spencer L Gibbs

Scott J Huizenga

Michael D Berry

A fixturing device for holding a workpiece for processing by an induction hardening machine includes a first subassembly constructed and arranged to be attached to an induction coil subassembly which is movable into and out of position around the workpiece. A second subassembly, virtually identical in construction to the first subassembly, is attached to the induction coil assembly and the two subassemblies are spaced apart so as to face one another and so as to define therebetween a workpiece-receiving region. Each subassembly includes an L-shaped bracket with one leg configured for attachment to the induction coil assembly and the other leg configured with connecting rods for attachment to a holding block. There are three connecting rods, two in the form of cylindrical pins, and one, the center connecting rod, being externally threaded for connecting a holding block to the L-shaped bracket. The two cylindrical pins receive coil springs so as to spring bias the holding block. The threaded connecting rod receives a hex nut for setting the initial spring tension of the holding block relative to its movement toward the L-shaped bracket. The workpiece to be processed by the induction hardening machine is to be positioned between upper and lower centers. The procedure for utilization of the fixturing device is to place the workpiece on the lower center and then push the upper portion of the workpiece in between the two holding blocks, allowing these blocks to separate for added clearance by compressing the coil springs in each subassembly until the workpiece is properly aligned, at which point the upper center is lowered into position.

Fixturing device for holding a workpiece

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. An important feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Each induction coil is configured with openings on an inside surface in order to deliver a quench fluid directly to the inductively heated portion of the crankshaft.

Induction hardening apparatus for a crankshaft

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are prograrmned into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Another feature of the present invention is the use of an offset 180 degree coil which provides improved heating patterns in less time than traditional 90 degree coils.

A centering spindle for use with a workpiece which is to be induction hardened includes a generally cylindrical outer housing into which a shaft is positioned and mounted in spaced relation to the housing by a bearing arrangement. The bearing arrangement allows the shaft to rotate relative to the housing. The end of the shaft extending out of the housing is connected to an isolation spacer which is fabricated out of an electrical insulator material. The isolation spacer in turn is attached to a removable tip which is constructed and arranged for interfacing with the workpiece to be induction hardened. The design of the centering spindle is such that the tip may be removed and replaced when it becomes worn without the need to replace any of the other parts or components of the centering spindle. Further, any electromagnetic field induced in the workpiece and transmitted to the tip will not be transmitted to the shaft nor to the bearing arrangement due to the isolation spacer. Additionally, any substantially elevated temperature which is experienced by the tip due to the heating of the workpiece will be insulated to some extent from reaching the shaft due to the thermal insulation properties of the material used for the isolation spacer.

Centering spindle for a machine tool including an isolation spacer

An induction hardening apparatus for inductively heating and quench hardening a crankshaft includes an arrangement of two workstations similarly configured and a robotic device indexing the crankshaft from a first workstation to a second workstation. The induction hardening apparatus is designed with a single induction coil located at the first workstation for the sequential induction heating and quench hardening of the pins of the crankshaft. At the second workstation, a single induction coil is used for the bearing surfaces of the crankshaft. One feature of the present invention is that the induction coils do not contact the surfaces of the crankshaft which are being inductively heated and quench hardened. Crankshaft dimensions and geometry are programmed into servodrive systems which move the corresponding coil in X and Y directions accurately tracing the orbit or path of each pin and each bearing surface. Another feature of the present invention is the use of an offset 180 degree coil which provides improved heating patterns in less time than traditional 90 degree coils.

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Plainfield, IN, United States of America

Max E Stewart