Method of continuously processing amorphous metal punchings

Abstract

A plurality of separate blanks or punchings can be continually processed by first cutting the strips into the dimensions needed for core punchings prior to thermal and magnetic annealing. Thereafter the cut punchings can be fed into the annealing line a conveyor in the sequence of one after another in series, alternatively side-by-side in parallel. The punchings will be flattened with rollers or a press during the stage of heating from room temperature to approximately 300.degree. C. The molten metals adhering to the laser-cut edges or burrs from the mechanical shear can be mechanically removed at this point by brushing. The strips may then be thermally and magnetically annealed in the soaking area. In one embodiment, the temperature may be 400.degree. C. .+-.20.degree. C. for 2605-S2 Metglas material and 360.degree. C. .+-.10.degree. C. for 2605S-C Metglas material with a field of 10 Oe in a non-oxidizing environment. The time required for annealing will depend upon strip gauge and width and also, the need of the end results. In an alternative embodiment, the strips may be annealed at a higher temperature of up to 450.degree. C. for a sequence of one minute periods. In either event, annealing takes place while passing the material through a solenoid in the conveyor furnace to expose the material to magnetic annealing. Thereafter, the annealed strips will be cooled to room temperature as the exist from the furnace. The processed punchings will then be ready for core stacking without further strip winding and unwinding.