JP2007092094A - Induction hardening apparatus for metallic workpiece, and induction hardening method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an induction hardening apparatus for a metallic workpiece and an induction hardening method therefor bt which the occurrence of strain in the metallic workpiece caused by the hardening treatment can be suppressed as much as possible and the productivity can be improved. <P>SOLUTION: This induction hardening apparatus is provided with; an induction-heating device 2 having a coil-head 23 for induction-heating; a supporting means 17 for supporting the coil-head 23 for induction-heating; and a movement control means 19 for moving at least one of the supporting means 17 or the metallic workpiece W so that the supporting means 17 is relatively moved along the portion to be hardened in the metallic workpiece W. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an induction hardening apparatus and a quenching method for a metal workpiece.

  For example, in a manufacturing process of a metal workpiece used for a blade part of a cutting machine for cutting a sheet metal, a metal workpiece is cut in a three-dimensional direction by a three-dimensional cutting device or the like, and then the metal workpiece is cut into the metal workpiece. A quenching process is performed on the surface.

  Conventionally, such a quenching process is performed by cutting a metal workpiece and then an operator using a gas burner to radiate and heat a heated portion of the metal workpiece.

  However, as in the conventional case described above, when a metal work that has been machined is heated by a gas burner and subjected to a quenching process, due to variations in the amount of heating or manual heating position shift, There is a tendency that distortion deformation such as warping and twisting is likely to occur. For this reason, even after quenching, the metal workpiece has to be reshaped.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can suppress the occurrence of distortion of a metal workpiece due to a quenching process as much as possible, and can further improve the productivity. And providing a quenching method.

The above problem is solved by the following means.
(1) A high-frequency induction heating apparatus having an induction heating coil head, a support means for supporting the induction heating coil head, and the support means relatively move along a portion to be quenched of a metal workpiece. A metal work induction hardening apparatus comprising: a movement control means for moving at least one of the support means or the metal work.
(2) A forming apparatus for forming a metal workpiece along its contour shape, and a coil head for induction heating, which has a holder for a processing tool for holding various processing tools for forming in a replaceable manner. And at least one of the processing tool or the metal workpiece so that the processing tool held by the holder for the processing tool relatively moves along a portion to be processed of the metal workpiece. A movement control means for moving, the coil head of the high-frequency induction heating device is detachably mounted on or near the holder for the processing tool, and the coil head is subjected to quenching of the workpiece by the movement control means. A high-frequency quenching apparatus for a metal workpiece, wherein the workpiece is quenched by being relatively moved along a portion.
(3) The coil head of the high-frequency induction heating apparatus according to the preceding item 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of types of coil heads respectively adapted to the shapes of a plurality of different heated portions of the metal workpiece are selectively used. Induction hardening equipment.
(4) The induction heating coil head of the high frequency induction heating apparatus having the induction heating coil head is supported by a support means, and the support means is relatively moved along the quenching target portion of the metal workpiece. An induction hardening method for a metal workpiece, wherein the workpiece is quenched by moving at least one of the support means or the metal workpiece.
(5) A forming apparatus having a processing tool holder for holding various processing tools for forming processing in a replaceable manner, and for forming a metal workpiece, wherein the processing tool is held by the processing tool holder. Using a forming apparatus that moves at least one of the processing tool or the metal workpiece so that the tool relatively moves along the portion to be processed of the metal workpiece, the processing tool of the forming apparatus The coil head of the high-frequency induction heating apparatus is detachably mounted on the holder for the workpiece or in the vicinity thereof, and the workpiece is quenched by moving the coil head relative to the workpiece to be quenched. A method of induction hardening of a metal workpiece characterized by the above.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (1), since the support means for supporting the induction heating head is relatively moved along the part to be quenched of the metal workpiece, induction hardening is performed. It can be applied automatically and efficiently only to the necessary parts. In addition, it is possible to obtain a good quenching state in which there is no variation in the heating amount as compared with the case using a gas burner and no distortion deformation occurs.

  According to the invention described in (2) above, when the forming apparatus is driven during forming, at least one of a processing tool such as a cutting blade or a metal work held by the processing tool holder moves, The tool relatively moves along the processing target portion of the metal workpiece, and the metal workpiece is automatically formed.

  After finishing the processing, without removing or removing the processing tool, the coil head of the high-frequency induction heating device is attached to the processing tool holder or the vicinity thereof, and the coil head or the workpiece is moved.

  As a result, the coil head relatively moves along the part to be quenched of the metal workpiece, so that the metal workpiece is heated by the coil head and the quenching process is efficiently and automatically applied only to the necessary part. be able to.

  Further, according to this quenching apparatus, the quenching process can be entered from the molding process as it is, and the production efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, it is possible to obtain a good quenching state in which there is no variation in the heating amount as compared with the case using a gas burner and no distortion deformation occurs.

  According to the invention described in item (3) above, since the coil head suitable for the difference in the shape of the heated portion of the metal workpiece, for example, the shape of the straight side portion or the curved side portion can be selected and used, the shape of the portion Thus, the coil head can be moved along the line, and appropriate induction heating can be performed on the heated portion of the metal workpiece.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (4), the quenching process can be efficiently and automatically performed only on necessary portions. In addition, it is possible to obtain a good quenching state in which there is no variation in the heating amount as compared with the case using a gas burner and no distortion deformation occurs.

  According to the invention described in the preceding item (5), after the molding process is completed, the coil head of the high-frequency induction heating device is mounted on or near the processing tool holder without removing or removing the processing tool, and the coil head or the workpiece is moved. Let As a result, the coil head relatively moves along the part to be quenched of the metal workpiece, so that the metal workpiece is heated by the coil head and the quenching process is efficiently and automatically applied only to the necessary part. be able to. Moreover, the quenching process can be entered as it is from the molding process, and the production efficiency can be improved. In addition, compared with those using a gas burner, there is no variation in the amount of heating, and it is possible to obtain a good quenching state without occurrence of distortion deformation.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic overall perspective view showing an induction hardening apparatus for a metal workpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, for example, after a metal workpiece used for a blade part of a cutting machine for cutting a sheet metal is cut by a molding apparatus, the molding apparatus is used. This shows a case where induction hardening is performed.

  In FIG. 1, the induction hardening apparatus for a metal workpiece generally includes a three-dimensional forming apparatus 1, a high frequency induction heating apparatus 2, a coil head replacement station 3, and a heating coil in the high frequency induction heating apparatus 2. And a coil head mounting device 4 for attaching the head 23 to the molding apparatus 1.

  The molding apparatus 1 includes, for example, a first movable base 12 supported on a base 11 and capable of reciprocating along the X-axis direction (front-rear direction) by a driving device (not shown), and a first movable base. 12, a second movable base 13 that can be reciprocated along the Y-axis direction (left-right direction) by a driving device (not shown), and a driving device (not shown) supported on the second movable base 13. Is provided with a third movable base 14 that can reciprocate along the Z-axis direction (vertical direction), and a processing mechanism portion 15 held at the tip of the third movable base 14.

  In addition, 11a and 11a are provided on the said base 11, the guide member which guides the movement of the 1st movable stand 12, 12a and 12b are provided on the said 1st movable stand 12, and 2nd A guide member 13 a for guiding the movement of the movable table 13 is a guide groove provided on the second movable table 13 to guide the movement of the third movable table 14.

  The processing mechanism unit 15 includes a driving unit 16 held at the tip of the third movable table 14, a processing tool holder 17 held on the tip side of the third movable table 14 via the driving unit 16, A processing tool 18 such as a cutting blade for forming and processing the metal workpiece W is detachably held by the processing tool holder 17.

  The movement of the first movable table 12, the second movable table 13, and the third movable table 14 is controlled by a control device 19 including a computer that executes a preset program. By controlling the movement, the processing tool 18 moves along the contour shape of the metal workpiece, and the upper surface and outer peripheral surface of the metal workpiece W can be three-dimensionally processed.

  Of course, the molding apparatus 1 is not limited to the above-described one, and for example, an articulated robot may be used.

  Further, moving the processing tool 18 in the three-dimensional direction is not an absolute condition, and depending on the workpiece W, the processing tool 18 may be moved only in the two-dimensional direction.

  Furthermore, the processing tool holder 17 is not limited to a cutting blade, and can hold various processing tools 18 such as a polishing tool or a drill in a replaceable manner. That is, the forming apparatus 1 is not limited to the function of cutting the metal workpiece W.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the high-frequency induction heating device 2 can be used independently of the molding apparatus 1, and includes a high-frequency oscillation unit 21 serving as a device main body, A plurality of, for example, three cables 22 (22A, 22B, 22C) drawn from the case, and three manually operable coil heads 23 provided at the respective ends of these cables 22 (22A, 22B, 22C). (23A, 23B, 23C).

  In the high-frequency oscillation unit 21 of the high-frequency transmission device 2, for example, in addition to the capacitor unit in the LC high-frequency oscillation circuit, a power supply unit, a storage device (both not shown) and the like are accommodated, and the cable 22A , 22B, 22C are provided with a switching mechanism (not shown) for selectively switching the high-frequency output.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a touch input type operation panel 211, a display meter 212, a power lamp 213, a current breaker 214, and the like are provided on the front surface of the high-frequency oscillator 21.

  The cable 22 (22A, 22B, 22C) is for sending a high-frequency oscillation output from the high-frequency oscillation unit 21 to the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C).

  The cable 22 (22A, 22B, 22C) has flexibility, and the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) can be freely moved regardless of the orientation of the high-frequency induction heating device 2 or the like. It has become.

  A cooling fluid such as water is supplied to the inside of the coil to cool the coil head at the base end of the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) when the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) is in operation. A cooling fluid circulation pipe 25 is attached.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) includes a current transformer (CT) housing portion 231 connected to each end of the cables 22A, 22B, 22C, and the CT. A partition plate 232 protruding forward from the distal end surface of the accommodating portion 231 and a coil portion 230 drawn from the distal end surface of the CT accommodating portion 231 are provided.

  The CT accommodating portion 231 is provided with a hand switch operating portion 26 for turning on and off the operation of the high-frequency induction heating device 2 by manual operation.

  The coil part 230 is made of Ryodo metal material, for example, copper, and a pair of ones drawn from the CT housing part 231 extend along both surfaces of the partition plate 232, and in the middle of the crossing shape. A tip end portion 230a is formed that is coupled to each other at the tip end via the portion 230b and that is easy to follow along a predetermined portion of the metal workpiece W.

  For example, with respect to the coil head 23A, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the tip portion 230a of the coil portion 230 extends in parallel within the same horizontal plane, has a planar shape that is oval, and has a front shape as shown in FIG. In this case, it is selected and used as being easy to follow along the straight side Wa of the metal workpiece W.

  Further, with respect to the coil head 23B, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the distal end portion 230a of the coil portion 230 repeats detouring at the distal end side, the planar shape is oval, and the front shape is as shown in FIG. In addition, it has a bow shape, and this is selected and used as being easy to follow along the curved side portion Wb of the metal workpiece W.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the coil head 23 </ b> C has an L-shaped horizontal tip, and is selectively used for quenching the upper flat portion of the metal workpiece W.

  In addition, the ferrite core 234 is filled in the space inside each coil tip portion 230a in the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) so as to concentrate the magnetic flux generated during high-frequency heating so as to increase the heating efficiency. It is.

  The high frequency induction heating device 2 can set heating conditions such as a heating temperature and a heating time in advance according to the type of the workpiece W and the coil head 23 via the operation panel 211. The heating conditions are stored in a storage unit (not shown) as a heating chart. Then, according to the type of work to be quenched, the corresponding heating chart is selected and instructed on the operation panel, etc., and the heating chart is called, and heating is executed under the conditions based on the heating chart by computer control. It is supposed to be.

  Moreover, it is also possible to perform the PID control while installing the infrared radiation thermometer 40 as shown in FIG. 1 and monitoring the temperature of the heating part by the coil head 23 with the infrared radiation thermometer 40 without using the heating chart. is there.

  The coil head replacement station 3 waits for using the heating coil head 23 in the high-frequency induction heating device 2 in the molding apparatus 1, for example, the front surface of the mounting plate 32 on the support base 31. The coil head holding portions 33A, 33B, and 33C that detachably hold the three coil heads 23 (23A, 23B, and 23C) are provided in a line.

  Of course, any structure can be adopted for the plurality of coil head holding portions 33A, 33B, and 33C.

  The coil head mounting device 4 is used to mount the one selected from the plurality of coil heads 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) held in the coil head replacement station 3 on the molding apparatus 1. For example, the hand 42 at the tip of the arm 41 such as an articulated robot grasps and removes the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) from the station 3 and attaches it to the processing tool holder 17 on the molding processing apparatus 1 side or its vicinity. It is designed to be worn.

  Of course, the coil head mounting device 4 is not limited to the articulated robot, and various automatic devices having a function of attaching and detaching the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) can be adopted.

  Next, an induction hardening method for the metal workpiece W using the induction hardening apparatus for the metal workpiece W having the above-described configuration will be described. In this embodiment, the metal workpiece W is formed of flame-quenched steel.

  The heating coil heads 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) in the high-frequency induction heating device 2 are held in advance in coil head holding portions 33A, 33B, 33C in the coil head replacement station 3, respectively.

  First, when the metal workpiece W carried on the processing table N is to be cut, for example, the cutting blade 18 is attached to the processing tool holder 17 as a processing tool, and the forming apparatus 1 is driven.

  The amount of change of the first to third movable bases 12 to 14 is NC-controlled based on a predetermined program, and each of them changes in each direction, whereby the processing tool (cutting blade) 18 has a contour shape of the workpiece W. The metal workpiece W is processed and formed into a desired shape.

  Thereafter, the metal workpiece W is quenched, and before that, the processing tool 18 is automatically or manually removed, and then the three coil head mounting devices 4 are held by the coil head replacement station 3. From the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C), the coil head 23 suitable for the shape of the heated part of the metal workpiece W, for example, the coil head 23C is taken out, and the processing tool holder 17 in the forming apparatus 1 or the vicinity thereof. Attach to.

  In this case, the coil head 23A is mounted so as to be substantially coaxial with the processing tool holder 17 and to face in an appropriate direction.

  Of course, the coil head mounting device 4 is not essential, and an operator may remove the coil head 23 from the coil head replacement station 3 and attach it to a predetermined portion of the molding apparatus 1.

  And the high frequency induction heating apparatus 2 is operated.

  Since the coil head 23C is adapted to the upper flat portion of the metal workpiece W, the coil head 23C is used by using a movement control program set by the processing tool 18, and the metal workpiece W is used. When the relative movement is performed along the upper flat portion, the upper flat portion of the metal workpiece W is induction-heated and automatically quenched.

  After quenching the top flat portion of the workpiece W, the coil head mounting device 4 removes the coil head 23C from the molding processing device 1, returns it to the coil head replacement station 3, and then takes out another coil head 23B for molding processing. Mount on the device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 10, if the relative movement is made along the straight side portion Wa of the metal workpiece W, the linear side portion Wa of the metal workpiece W is induction-heated by induction heating of the coil head 23A. Quenching is performed automatically.

  Next, the coil head mounting device 4 exchanges and mounts the coil bed 23A to the bow-shaped coil head 23B and heats and quenches the curved side Wb while moving along the curved side Wb of the metal workpiece W. Process.

  Thus, since the coil head 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) in the high frequency induction heating device 2 can be mounted on the processing tool holder 17 of the forming apparatus 1 or in the vicinity thereof, the cutting of the metal workpiece W is performed. When the molding process such as the above is completed, the desired coil head 23 can be selected and used as it is and the process can be shifted to the quenching process, and the production efficiency can be improved. In addition, since the coil head 23 is moved along the contour shape of the workpiece W using a movement control program set for the processing tool 18, a program for moving the coil head 23 is started from the beginning. There is no need to set a new value, which is efficient.

  Further, the induction heating of the coil head 23 in the high-frequency induction heating device 2 automatically performs a quenching process, and only a necessary portion is deeply heated uniformly with respect to the metal workpiece W, so that a conventional gas burner is used. Compared with the method of quenching using heat, it is possible to eliminate the variation in heating amount and deviation of the heating position and suppress the occurrence of distortion as much as possible, so that the work of correcting the distortion after quenching is unnecessary or light Become.

  Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although the processing tool 18 or the coil head 23 is moved with respect to the metal workpiece, the metal workpiece W side may be moved.

  The high-frequency induction heating device 2 is provided with a cooling fluid outlet for injecting a cooling fluid for cooling the induction-heated metal workpiece W, and a quenching state of the metal workpiece W is realized by the ejection of the cooling fluid. It is good also as what accelerates compared with the case of natural cooling.

  Moreover, although the case where the three coil heads 23A-23C were used was shown, in the case of a simple shape, one may be sufficient and two may be sufficient. In the case of a more complicated shape, four or more may be used.

  Moreover, although the case where induction hardening was performed using the shaping | molding processing apparatus 1 was demonstrated, it may not be what combines a shaping | molding processing apparatus, it supports the coil head 23 and follows the hardening object site | part of the workpiece | work W. Any configuration that can move relative to each other is acceptable.

It is a schematic whole perspective view which shows the induction hardening apparatus of the metal workpiece | work which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which similarly shows the high frequency induction heating apparatus in the induction hardening apparatus of metal workpieces. It is a side view in a high frequency induction heating apparatus similarly. It is a top view which shows an example of the coil head in a high frequency induction heating apparatus. It is a side view which shows the coil head of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the AA line of FIG. It is a top view which shows another example of the coil head in a high frequency induction heating apparatus. It is a side view which shows the coil head of FIG. It is sectional drawing along the BB line of FIG. It is explanatory drawing at the time of the heating with respect to metal workpieces.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Molding processing apparatus 2 ... High frequency induction heating apparatus 21 ... High frequency oscillation part 17 ... Processing tool holder (support means)
18 .... Processing tool 19 .... Control means (movement control means)
22 (22A, 22B, 22C) ... Cable 23 (23A, 23B, 23C) ... Coil head W ... Metal workpiece

Claims (5)

A high-frequency induction heating apparatus having a coil head for induction heating;
Support means for supporting the induction heating coil head;
A movement control means for moving at least one of the support means or the metal workpiece so that the support means relatively moves along the quenching target portion of the metal workpiece;
An induction hardening apparatus for metal workpieces characterized by comprising: A processing tool holder for holding various processing tools for forming processing in a replaceable manner, and a forming apparatus for forming a metal workpiece along its contour shape;
A high-frequency induction heating apparatus having a coil head for induction heating;
A movement control means for moving at least one of the processing tool or the metal workpiece so that the processing tool held by the holder for the processing tool relatively moves along a processing target portion of the metal workpiece;
With
By detachably mounting the coil head of the high-frequency induction heating device on or near the holder for the processing tool, by moving the coil head relative to the workpiece to be quenched by the movement control means, An induction hardening apparatus for metal workpieces, wherein the workpiece is quenched.   3. The high frequency induction heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of types of coil heads that are adapted to shapes of a plurality of different heated parts of the metal workpiece are selectively used as the coil head of the high frequency induction heating device. Putting device. The induction heating coil head of the high frequency induction heating apparatus having the induction heating coil head is supported by a supporting means,
The workpiece is hardened by moving at least one of the support means or the metal workpiece so that the support means moves relative to the part to be quenched of the metal workpiece. Induction hardening method for metal workpieces. It has a holder for a processing tool that holds various processing tools for forming processing in a replaceable manner, and is a molding processing apparatus that forms a metal workpiece, and the processing tool held by the holder for the processing tool includes: Using a forming apparatus that is configured to move at least one of the processing tool or the metal workpiece so as to move relative to the processing target portion of the metal workpiece,
The coil head of the high-frequency induction heating device is detachably attached to or near the processing tool holder of the molding processing device, and the coil head is moved relative to the workpiece to be quenched, thereby moving the workpiece. A high-frequency quenching method for metal workpieces, characterized by performing a quenching process.