Ajax Tocco Magnethermic Corporation

Robert John Madeira

Ronald R Akers

Richard McKelvey

Dennis McKinney

Gary M Campbell

George D Pfaffmann

John R Keough

Christopher Allen Bixler

Systems and methods are presented for automated induction hardening of crankshaft bearings while controlling the crankshaft TIR, in which one or more first bearings are hardened by induction heating and quenching, followed by measurement of the crankshaft TIR. The measured TIR is then evaluated and one or more second bearings are hardened using a second induction heating power profile and a second quench flow profile, at least one of which is selectively adjusted according to the measured crankshaft TIR. In this manner, the hardening of the second bearing(s) can counteract any bending or warpage caused by the first hardening process to control the resulting final TIR of the crankshaft.

System and method for crankshaft hardening

An apparatus and method for hardening the concentric main bearing surfaces and orbital pin bearing surfaces of a crankshaft for an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an inductor that is connected to a high frequency power source with a power controller to cause the power source to direct a given power to the inductor at given rotational heating positions of the crankshaft. A master controller creates output signals to control the power controller. The apparatus and method includes a first multi-surface hardening station with inductors for all of the main bearing surfaces, a second multi-surface hardening station with inductors for some of the orbital pins and a third multi-surface hardening station with inductors for the remaining orbital pins. Total indicator run out (TIR) is measured after the first station to adjust the heating process in the third station to produce a straight crankshaft.

Apparatus and method for hardening bearing surfaces of a crankshaft

A system and method for producing locally austempered ductile iron includes a computer program for closely controlling the heating and cooling of an iron part or workpiece. The process allows for the austempering of a relatively low cost iron workpiece to produce significantly higher quality end products. The locally austempered regions may be formed to a substantial controlled depth.

Method of producing locally austempered ductile iron

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Commerce Township, MI, United States of America

Robert John Madeira