Resistance heating device with improved workpiece feeding mechanism

Abstract

In a device for resistance heating of an elongated, generally cylindrical metal workpiece preparatory to quench hardening wherein the workpiece has a central, elongated axis and axially spaced first and second ends. The heating device includes first and second axially spaced electrode means for directing electrical current through the workpiece and between the spaced ends as the workpiece is supported in a selected, generally horizontal heating position. The improved feeding arrangement includes a transfer element with first and second separate nest means for supporting a workpiece with its axis generally parallel to the heating position. The second nest means is spaced horizontally from the loading position. This transfer element is reciprocally mounted for movement between a first location with a workpiece in the first nest means at the heating position and a second location with the first nest means being spaced from the heating position. Means are provided for shifting the workpiece from the loading position on the second nest means as the transfer element moves toward its first location and means for transferring a workpiece from the second nest means to the first nest means upon movement of the transfer element from the first location toward the second location to provide easy movement of the workpiece from the loading position, to the second nest means, to the first nest means and, then, to the resistance heating position.