JP2013064184A - Heat treatment facility and heat treatment method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a heat treatment facility and a heat treatment method which achieve good space efficiency.SOLUTION: The heat treatment facility 1 includes a first heating and carburizing chamber 10A and a second heating and carburizing chamber 10B, a first cooling chamber 12A and a second cooling chamber 12B, and a conveyance unit 28. A pair of the first heating and carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A and a pair of the second heating and carburizing chamber 10B and the second cooling chamber 12B, which are arranged to face each other across a rail 26 on which the conveyance unit 28 moves, are plurally arranged along the rail 26. The conveyance unit 28 moves on the rail 26 and conveys objects to be treated W1-W4 to the first heating and carburizing chamber 10A and the second heating and carburizing chamber 10B respectively, and also conveys objects to be treated W1-W4 from the first heating and carburizing chamber 10A to the first cooling chamber 12A and from the second heating and carburizing chamber 10B to the second cooling chamber 12B.

Description

  The present invention relates to a heat treatment facility and a heat treatment method for performing heat treatment on steel members such as gears that require high strength.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a continuous vacuum carburizing furnace in which a heating chamber, a carburizing chamber, and a cooling chamber are arranged in series, and a transfer chamber is arranged between the heating chamber and the carburizing chamber and between the carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber. Has been.

  In Patent Document 2, a delivery chamber and a heat insulation chamber are integrally supported on a transfer unit that can move on a rail, and the heat insulation chamber can be coupled (docked) to a plurality of heat treatment chambers. A heat treatment facility that can be used is disclosed.

JP 2009-132980 A JP 2008-170116 A

  However, since the continuous vacuum carburizing furnace of Patent Document 1 has a heating chamber, a carburizing chamber, a cooling chamber, and two transfer chambers arranged in series, the equipment becomes large. For this reason, the facilities cannot be efficiently arranged within the limited site in the factory, and the space efficiency is not good.

  Then, like the heat treatment equipment of patent document 2, it is possible to support a delivery chamber and a heat retention chamber (cooling chamber) integrally on a conveyance unit. Here, it is assumed that the heat treatment in which carburization, cooling, and quenching are performed in this order is performed by the heat treatment equipment of Patent Document 2. In this heat treatment, when the carburizing process is finished on the article to be treated, it is necessary to cool the article to be treated promptly. Therefore, it is necessary to dispose a cooling chamber directly opposite the heating carburizing chamber. At this time, it is conceivable to provide one cooling chamber for the two heated carburizing chambers, but considering the improvement in productivity, it is necessary to provide two cooling chambers so as to correspond to the two heated carburizing chambers, respectively. .

  Then, since the delivery chamber and the heat insulation chamber are integrated in the heat treatment equipment of Patent Document 2, a transfer unit for transferring the workpiece from the charging table to the two heat treatment chambers (heating carburizing chamber), and the heat treatment chamber Two transfer units (delivery chambers) are required for transferring the workpieces between the heat transfer chamber and the heat insulation chamber. In this way, a total of three transport units are required. This increases the size of the equipment.

  In addition, since the delivery chamber is integrated with the heat retaining chamber in the heat treatment facility of Patent Document 2, it is necessary to provide an extra moving space for the heat retaining chamber when moving the transfer unit. This also increases the size of the equipment. Furthermore, one of the heat retaining chambers cannot pass the other heat retaining chamber, and it is necessary to provide a conveyance path for the article to be processed for each heat retaining chamber. This also increases the size of the equipment.

  As described above, assuming that the heat treatment in which carburization, cooling, and quenching are performed in this order is performed by the heat treatment system of Patent Document 2, the facility becomes very large. Furthermore, since it is necessary to enclose the facility with a safety fence, the facility cannot be efficiently arranged within the limited site in the factory. Therefore, space efficiency is not good.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a heat treatment facility and a heat treatment method that improve space efficiency.

  One aspect of the present invention made to solve the above problems is a heated carburizing chamber that heats a product to be processed and performs a vacuum carburizing process on the product to be processed, and the process that has been subjected to the vacuum carburizing process. Movement in which the transfer unit moves in a heat treatment facility having a cooling chamber for cooling a product and a transfer unit for transferring the article to be processed to the heating carburizing chamber and transferring from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber A plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of the heating carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber arranged to face each other across the path are arranged along the moving path, and the transport unit moves along the moving path. The plurality of the heated carburizing / cooling mechanisms disposed in the heating carburizing chamber can be transported to the heated carburizing chamber, and the heated carburizing / cooling mechanism can be transferred from the heated carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber. Processed goods It is possible transmission, characterized by.

  According to this aspect, a plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of heating carburizing chambers and cooling chambers arranged to face each other across the moving path on which the transport unit moves are arranged along the moving path. The transfer unit can transfer the workpieces to each of the heating carburizing chambers of the plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms arranged on the moving path, and can be cooled from the heating carburizing chamber in each of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms. The product to be processed can be transported to the chamber. Thereby, since the number of conveyance units can be reduced, heat treatment equipment can be reduced in size. Therefore, equipment can be efficiently arranged within a limited site such as a factory, so that space efficiency is improved.

  In said aspect, after performing the said vacuum carburizing process with respect to the said to-be-processed goods in the said heating carburizing chamber, the said to-be-processed goods are conveyed from the said heated carburizing chamber to the said cooling chamber by the said conveyance unit. preferable.

  According to this aspect, after performing the carburizing process on the article to be processed in the heating carburizing chamber, the article to be processed is transferred from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber by the transfer unit. In this way, the article to be processed that has been subjected to the vacuum carburizing process is quickly transported from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber disposed so as to face the heating carburizing chamber with the transport unit interposed therebetween, and then cooled. Can do. Therefore, it can suppress that the carbon introduce | transduced into the surface of the to-be-processed product diffuses inside the to-be-processed product, and can prevent the surface carbon concentration on the surface of the to-be-processed product from greatly decreasing. Therefore, it is possible to increase the hardness and strength of the surface of the article to be processed.

  In the above aspect, the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber are combined, and the inside of the heating carburizing chamber, the inside of the transfer unit, and the inside of the cooling chamber are evacuated, It is preferable that the workpiece is transported from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber by a transport unit.

  According to this aspect, in the state where the heated carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber are combined and the inside of the heated carburizing chamber, the inside of the transfer unit, and the inside of the cooling chamber are evacuated, Transport from the heated carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber. Therefore, it is possible to quickly convey the article to be treated from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber, and more reliably suppress the carbon introduced into the surface of the article to be treated from diffusing inside the article to be treated. It is possible to more reliably prevent the surface carbon concentration on the surface of the product from being greatly reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to more reliably increase the hardness and strength of the surface of the article to be processed.

  In the above aspect, after the heated carburizing chamber is moved toward the transfer unit to combine the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit, the combined heated carburization chamber and the transfer unit are moved to the cooling chamber. It is preferable that the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber are coupled by moving the heating carburizing chamber.

  According to this aspect, first, the heated carburizing chamber is moved toward the transfer unit to couple the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit. Thereafter, the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit are moved toward the cooling chamber, thereby connecting the heated carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber. As described above, since the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit need only be moved in one direction, the mechanism and control method for moving the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the structure of the facility and reduce the cost.

  In said aspect, it is preferable to couple | bond the said heating carburizing chamber, the said conveyance unit, and the said cooling chamber by moving the said heating carburizing chamber and the said cooling chamber toward the said conveyance unit, respectively.

  According to this aspect, the heated carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber are coupled by moving the heated carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber toward the transfer unit. Thereby, a cooling chamber can be moved toward a conveyance unit, moving a heating carburizing chamber toward a conveyance unit. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the time for combining the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber. Accordingly, the time required for the heat treatment can be shortened, so that productivity is improved.

  In said aspect, it is preferable to extract the said to-be-processed item cooled in the said cooling chamber to the exterior of the said cooling chamber from the opposite side to the side by which the said heating carburizing chamber is arrange | positioned.

  According to this aspect, the article to be processed cooled in the cooling chamber is extracted to the outside of the cooling chamber from the side opposite to the side where the heated carburizing chamber is disposed. Thereby, it becomes unnecessary to arrange | position the mechanism which extracts a to-be-processed item between several heating carburizing chambers or between several cooling chambers. Therefore, the interval between the plurality of heating carburizing chambers and the interval between the plurality of cooling chambers can be reduced. Therefore, the space efficiency is further improved. Moreover, the combination of the arrangement position with the induction hardening machine which performs induction hardening with respect to a to-be-processed product can be performed efficiently.

  In said aspect, it is preferable that the said heat carburizing chamber performs the said vacuum carburizing process with respect to the said to-be-processed product so that the surface carbon concentration of the said to-be-processed item may be 0.9% or more.

  According to this aspect, the heat carburizing chamber performs the vacuum carburizing process on the product to be processed so that the surface carbon concentration of the product to be processed is 0.9% or more. Thus, it is conceivable to use the heat treatment equipment of the present invention as equipment for performing a vacuum carburizing process on a product to be treated so that the surface carbon concentration of the product to be treated becomes high. Thereby, the vacuum carburizing process can be performed on the product to be processed so that the surface carbon concentration of the product to be processed becomes high while reducing the size of the heat treatment equipment and improving the space efficiency.

In the above aspect, it has an induction hardening machine that performs induction hardening on the article to be processed,
The heating carburizing / cooling mechanism and the induction hardening machine are arranged side by side along the moving path, and the transfer unit transfers the article to be processed to the induction hardening machine by moving the moving path. It is preferred that it be possible.

  According to this aspect, it has the induction hardening machine which performs induction hardening with respect to to-be-processed goods. And the heating carburization cooling mechanism and the induction hardening machine are arrange | positioned along with the movement path of a conveyance unit. Further, the transport unit can transport the product to be processed to the induction hardening machine by moving the moving path. In this way, the induction hardening machine is incorporated in the heat treatment line of the heat treatment equipment. This further improves space efficiency.

  Another aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-described problems, includes a heated carburizing chamber that heats an article to be treated and performs vacuum carburizing treatment on the article to be treated, and the article that has undergone the vacuum carburizing treatment. In a heat treatment method using a cooling chamber for cooling a processed product and a transfer unit for transferring the processed product to the heated carburizing chamber and transferring from the heated carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber, the transfer unit moves. A plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of the heated carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber that are arranged to face each other across the moving path are arranged along the moving path, and the transport unit moves the moving path through the moving path. The product to be processed is transferred to each of the heating carburizing chambers of each of the plurality of the heated carburizing and cooling mechanisms which are moved and the transfer unit is cooled from the heating carburizing chamber in each of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms. Room Conveying the said workpieces, characterized by.

  According to this aspect, a plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of heating carburizing chambers and cooling chambers arranged to face each other across the moving path on which the transport unit moves are arranged along the moving path. The transfer unit can transfer the workpieces to each of the heating carburizing chambers of the plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms arranged on the moving path, and can be cooled from the heating carburizing chamber in each of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms. The product to be processed can be transported to the chamber. Thereby, since the number of conveyance units can be reduced, heat treatment equipment can be reduced in size. Therefore, equipment can be efficiently arranged within a limited site such as a factory, so that space efficiency is improved.

  According to the heat treatment equipment and heat treatment method according to the present invention, space efficiency is improved.

It is a figure which shows the heat pattern of the heat processing of a present Example. 1 is a configuration diagram of a heat treatment facility of Example 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a heat treatment process by the heat treatment facility of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a heat treatment process by the heat treatment facility of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of each component of the heat treatment equipment for each heat treatment step of Example 1. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a figure which shows the example which couple | bonds a heating carburizing chamber, a conveyance unit, and a cooling chamber. It is a block diagram of the heat processing equipment of Example 2. It is a flowchart figure showing the heat processing process by the heat processing equipment of Example 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. FIG. 6 is a layout diagram of each component of a heat treatment facility for each heat treatment step of Example 2. It is a block diagram of the heat processing equipment of Example 3.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Description of heat treatment of this example]
For example, as a heat treatment of a machine part that requires a high surface hardness such as a gear, there is a treatment in which carburization, cooling, and quenching are performed in this order (hereinafter referred to as heat treatment of this embodiment). Here, FIG. 1 is a figure which shows the heat pattern of the heat processing of a present Example. Therefore, the heat treatment of this embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, first, as a vacuum carburizing treatment step a1, the heated carburizing chamber is heated to a predetermined carburizing temperature (for example, 900 ° C. to 1050 ° C.) under vacuum, and then under reduced pressure ( For example, the carburizing process is performed on the product to be processed while being held for a predetermined time (for example, 110 minutes) under a reduced pressure of 1/100 atm. By performing the vacuum carburizing process in this way, the surface carbon concentration is high (for example, the surface carbon concentration is 0.9% or more, preferably the surface carbon concentration is 0.9% to 1.5%). Carbon is introduced into the surface of the article to be treated (steel). Here, the surface carbon concentration is an average carbon concentration (% by weight) from the surface of the article to be processed to a depth of 50 μm.

  Here, in the vacuum carburizing process, after heating the heated carburizing chamber to a predetermined carburizing temperature under vacuum, a hydrocarbon-based gas (for example, methane, propane, ethylene, acetylene, etc.) is inserted into the heated carburizing chamber as a carburizing gas. Is done. And, according to this vacuum carburizing treatment, carbides are generated during the carburizing period when carbon is supplied to the surface of the article to be treated by the active carbon that decomposes when the gas contacts the surface of the article to be treated. Carbon is stored. In the subsequent diffusion period, the carbide is decomposed and the stored carbon is dissolved in the matrix, so that the carbon diffuses toward the inside and carburizes.

  And after performing the vacuum carburizing process a1 in this way, as a vacuum cooling process a2, a cooling gas is inserted into the evacuated cooling chamber, and a predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes) under a reduced pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure. The product to be processed is cooled (slowly cooled) so that the product to be processed reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, room temperature). Then, by performing this vacuum cooling step a2, the surface structure of the article to be processed is changed to a pearlite single phase structure. In addition, as for the speed which cools to-be-processed goods, it is desirable to make it in the range of 5 to 0.2 degree-C / s.

  Here, in the heat treatment of the present embodiment, after the vacuum carburizing process is performed on the article to be processed in the vacuum carburizing process step a1, it is necessary to quickly cool the article to be processed in the vacuum cooling step a2. The reason for this is to prevent the high concentration of carbon introduced on the surface of the treated product from diffusing inside the treated product and to prevent the surface carbon concentration on the surface of the treated product from greatly decreasing. is there.

  And after performing the vacuum cooling process a2 in this way, as the induction hardening process a3, short-time heating (for example, heating for about 20 to 30 seconds) with a high frequency up to a predetermined quenching temperature (for example, 750 ° C. to 850 ° C.) I do. Thereby, the cementite in the pearlite structure | tissue of the surface of a to-be-processed product can be finely divided | segmented to a longitudinal direction, and a carbide | carbonized_material can be refined | miniaturized. Then, by generating a large amount of fine carbide on the surface of the article to be treated (for example, an amount in which the area ratio of carbide having a size of 1 μm or less occupies 90% or more), the surface of the article to be treated has a high height. Hardness and high strength can be achieved. As described above, the heat treatment of this embodiment is performed.

[Description of heat treatment equipment]
Next, a heat treatment facility for performing the heat treatment of this embodiment will be described.

<Example 1>
First, Example 1 will be described. First, the structure of the heat treatment facility 1 of Example 1 will be described. Here, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the heat treatment facility 1 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the heat treatment facility 1 includes a heating carburizing chamber (first heating carburizing chamber 10A and second heating carburizing chamber 10B), a cooling chamber (first cooling chamber 12A and second cooling chamber 12B), and a transfer unit 14. The heating carburizing chamber vacuum pump 16, the cooling chamber vacuum pump 18, the workpiece input unit 20, the first workpiece extraction unit 22A, the second workpiece extraction unit 22B, and the like.

  The first heated carburizing chamber 10A and the second heated carburizing chamber 10B are chambers (chambers) that perform a vacuum carburizing process on a workpiece (workpiece) in the vacuum carburizing process step a1. In addition, the first cooling chamber 12A and the second cooling chamber 12B are chambers (chambers) that cool the article to be processed in the vacuum cooling step a2.

  In the present embodiment, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A are disposed so as to face each other across the transport section 14 (specifically, a rail 26 described later) in the X-axis direction. The pair of first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A form a first heating carburizing and cooling mechanism. Further, the second heating carburizing chamber 10B and the second cooling chamber 12B are disposed so as to face each other across the transport unit 14 (specifically, a rail 26 described later) in the X-axis direction. The pair of second heating carburizing chamber 10B and second cooling chamber 12B form a second heating carburizing and cooling mechanism. And the 1st heating carburization cooling mechanism and the 2nd heating carburization cooling mechanism are arranged along the Y-axis direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction (namely, along the longitudinal direction of rail 26 mentioned below). Thus, two heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms are formed along the Y-axis direction. However, three or more heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms may be formed according to the required productivity. The heating carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber are provided with a moving mechanism (not shown) (wheels that can move on rails) and are movable in the X-axis direction. Moreover, the heating carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber are also provided with means (not shown) for conveying the product to be processed in the X-axis direction.

  The transport unit 14 includes a rail 26, a transport unit 28, a vacuum pump 30, and the like, and is a unit that transports a product to be processed. The rail 26 is an example of a moving path along which the transport unit 28 moves. The rail 26 is formed such that its longitudinal direction is along the arrangement direction of the first heating carburizing and cooling mechanism and the second heating carburizing and cooling mechanism, that is, the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. . Thereby, the transport unit 28 can move the Y-axis direction with the article to be processed mounted thereon. The transport unit 28 also includes means (not shown) for transporting the product to be processed in the X-axis direction. In this way, the transport unit 28 can transport the product to be processed in each direction of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction.

  As will be described later, the transfer unit 28 can move the rail 26 and transfer the product to be processed from the product input unit 20 to the first heating carburizing chamber 10A or the second heating carburizing chamber 10B. Further, the transfer unit 28 can transfer the product to be processed from the first heating carburizing chamber 10A to the first cooling chamber 12A, and transfer the product to be processed from the second heating carburizing chamber 10B to the second cooling chamber 12B. Can do.

  Further, rails (not shown) are arranged between the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A and between the second heating carburizing chamber 10B and the second cooling chamber 12B along the X-axis direction shown in FIG. It is formed between. Thereby, the conveyance unit 28 can also move to a X-axis direction, and can also couple | bond with a heating carburizing chamber and a cooling chamber. In addition, as a moving path along which the transport unit 28 moves, a path may be formed instead of a rail, and the transport unit 28 with wheels may move on the path.

  A vacuum pump 30 is attached to the transport unit 28. The vacuum pump 30 is a pump for evacuating the inside of the transport unit 28. Only one transport unit 28 is provided.

  The heating carburizing chamber vacuum pump 16 is a pump for evacuating the inside of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the second heating carburizing chamber 10B. The cooling chamber vacuum pump 18 is a pump for evacuating the first cooling chamber 12A and the second cooling chamber 12B.

  The processed product input unit 20 is a portion that inputs the processed product into the transport unit 28. Further, the first processed product extraction unit 22A and the second processed product extraction unit 22B are portions for extracting (discharging) the processed products from the first cooling chamber 12A and the second cooling chamber 12B, respectively. The first processed product extraction unit 22A and the second processed product extraction unit 22B directly connect a conveyor for discharging processed products to the first cooling chamber 12A and the second cooling chamber 12B, respectively. Note that an induction hardening machine (not shown) that performs induction hardening on the product to be processed may be directly connected to the first product extraction unit 22A or the second product extraction unit 22B.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of heating carburizing chambers and cooling chambers arranged opposite to each other across the rail 26 on which the transport unit 28 moves are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the rails 26. ing. And the conveyance unit 28 can convey the to-be-processed goods to each heating carburizing chamber (1st heating carburizing chamber 10A and 2nd heating carburizing chamber 10B) of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanism arranged by moving the rail 26. It is. Further, the transport unit 28 is provided with a cooling chamber (the first cooling chamber 12A or the second cooling chamber) from the heating carburizing chamber (the first heating carburizing chamber 10A or the second heating carburizing chamber 10B) in each of the plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms arranged. The article to be processed can be conveyed to the chamber 12B). In this way, it is possible to transfer the article to be processed to each heating carburizing chamber or to transfer the article to be processed from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber by one transfer unit 28. Therefore, the number of transfer units 28 can be reduced, so that the heat treatment facility 1 can be downsized. Therefore, equipment can be efficiently arranged within a limited site such as a factory, so that space efficiency is improved. Further, since the transport unit 28 is provided separately from the cooling chamber, the moving space of the transport unit 28 is small. This also improves the space efficiency.

  In addition, by extending the rail 26 in the Y-axis direction and further disposing a heating carburizing chamber and a cooling chamber on both sides of the extended rail 26, it is possible to easily add facilities. Thus, the heat treatment facility 1 can be easily expanded according to the required processing amount of the product to be processed. In addition, when expanding the facilities, a plurality of transport units 28 may be provided as necessary.

  Next, operation | movement of the heat processing equipment 1 is demonstrated using FIGS. Here, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are flowcharts showing the heat treatment process by the heat treatment facility 1 of the first embodiment, and FIGS. FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 2, the product to be processed W1 and the product to be processed W2 are disposed in the product input unit 20. Moreover, the conveyance unit 28 is arrange | positioned in the position where 10 A of 1st heating carburizing chambers are arrange | positioned.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the transport unit 28 is moved to a position where the workpiece input unit 20 is disposed (step S1). Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the inside of the transport unit 28 is set to atmospheric pressure, and the first door 32 is opened (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6) (step S2). Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the first processed product W1 is received from the processed product input unit 20 into the transport unit 28 (step S3). Then, the first door 32 is closed.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the inside of the transfer unit 28 is evacuated, and the transfer unit 28 is moved to a position where the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is disposed (step S4). Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is moved toward the transfer unit 28 in the X-axis direction, and the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is moved to the first door 32 side of the transfer unit 28 (FIG. 9). (Left side) is coupled (docked) (step S5).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10, the first door 32 of the transport unit 28 and the door 34 of the first heating carburizing chamber 10 </ b> A are opened (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 10). It conveys to 1A heating carburizing chamber 10A (step S6). Next, as shown in FIG. 11, the first door 32 of the transfer unit 28 and the door 34 of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A are closed, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is moved, and the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and The transport unit 28 is separated (step S7). In this way, the article to be processed W1 is arranged inside the first heating carburizing chamber 10A. And the process of the said vacuum carburizing process process a1 is started with respect to the to-be-processed goods W1.

  Next, similarly to the case of the article to be processed W1, as shown in FIG. 12, the second article to be processed W2 is arranged inside the second heating carburizing chamber 10B. That is, the transport unit 28 is moved to a position where the workpiece input unit 20 is disposed (step S8), and the inside of the transport unit 28 is brought to atmospheric pressure (step S9). Next, the processed product W2 is received from the processed product input unit 20 into the transport unit 28 (step S10). Next, the inside of the transfer unit 28 is evacuated, the transfer unit 28 is moved to a position where the second heated carburizing chamber 10B is disposed (step S11), and the second heated carburizing chamber 10B is coupled to the transfer unit 28 ( Step S12). Next, the article to be processed W2 is transferred from the transfer unit 28 to the second heating carburizing chamber 10B (step S13), and the second heating carburizing chamber 10B and the transfer unit 28 are separated (step S14). In this way, as shown in FIG. 12, the product to be processed W2 is arranged inside the second heating carburizing chamber 10B. And the process of the said vacuum carburizing process process a1 is started with respect to the to-be-processed goods W2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the transfer unit 28 is moved to a position where the first heated carburizing chamber 10A is disposed (step S15). Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the first heated carburizing chamber 10A is moved toward the transfer unit 28 in the X-axis direction, and the first heated carburizing chamber 10A is moved to the first door 32 side of the transfer unit 28 (FIG. 14). (The left side of) is coupled to the side surface (step S16). Next, as shown in FIG. 15, the combined first heating carburizing chamber 10 </ b> A and the transport unit 28 are moved toward the transport unit 28 in the X-axis direction, and the second door 36 side of the transport unit 28 (FIG. 15). The right side surface of the first cooling chamber 12A is joined to the side surface of the first cooling chamber 12A on the inlet door 38 side (left side in FIG. 15) (step S17). In this way, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12A are combined.

  Next, in the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the processing of the vacuum carburizing process a1 is completed for the workpiece W1. Then, as shown in FIG. 16, the door 34 of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the first door 32 and the second door 36 of the transfer unit 28, and the inlet door 38 of the first cooling chamber 12A are opened (FIG. 16). (Indicated by broken lines for each door) (step S18). In this manner, the inside of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the inside of the transfer unit 28, and the inside of the first cooling chamber 12A are communicated. At this time, the inside of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the inside of the transfer unit 28, and the inside of the first cooling chamber 12A are in a vacuum state.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 17, the workpiece W1 is transferred from the first heating carburizing chamber 10A to the first cooling chamber 12A by the transfer unit 28 (step S19). In this way, the article to be processed W1 is arranged inside the first cooling chamber 12A. And the process of the said vacuum cooling process a2 is started with respect to the to-be-processed goods W1. Here, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A are arranged so as to face each other in the X-axis direction with the transfer unit 28 interposed therebetween, and the inside of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the inside of the transfer unit 28 are arranged. Since the inside of the first cooling chamber 12A is evacuated at the same time, the transfer time of the article W1 to be processed can be shortened. Thus, after performing the process of vacuum carburizing process a1 with respect to the to-be-processed goods W1 in the 1st heating carburizing chamber 10A, the vacuum cooling process a2 with respect to the to-be-processed goods W1 immediately in the 1st cooling chamber 12A. Can be processed. Therefore, it can suppress that the carbon introduce | transduced into the surface of the to-be-processed product W1 diffuses inside the to-be-processed product W1, and can prevent that the surface carbon concentration on the surface of the to-be-processed product W1 decreases.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 18, the door 34 of the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the first door 32 and the second door 36 of the transfer unit 28, and the inlet door 38 of the first cooling chamber 12A are closed, and the first The heating carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12A are separated (step S20).

  Next, similarly to the case of the article to be processed W1, as shown in FIG. 19, the article to be processed W2 is arranged inside the second cooling chamber 12B. That is, the transfer unit 28 is moved to a position where the second heating carburizing chamber 10B is disposed (step S21). Next, the second heating carburizing chamber 10B is coupled to the transfer unit 28 (step S22), and the transfer unit 28 is coupled to the second cooling chamber 12B (step S23). In this way, the second heating carburizing chamber 10B, the transfer unit 28, and the second cooling chamber 12B are combined. Next, the processing of the vacuum carburizing process a1 is completed for the workpiece W2 in the second heating carburizing chamber 10B, and the door 34 of the second heating carburizing chamber 10B, the first door 32 of the transfer unit 28, and The second door 36 and the inlet door 38 of the second cooling chamber 12B are opened (step S24). In this way, the inside of the second heating carburizing chamber 10B, the inside of the transfer unit 28, and the inside of the second cooling chamber 12B are communicated. Next, the workpiece W2 is transferred from the second heating carburizing chamber 10B to the second cooling chamber 12B (step S25), and the second heating carburizing chamber 10B, the transfer unit 28, and the second cooling chamber 12B are separated (step S26). . In this way, as shown in FIG. 19, the product to be processed W2 is disposed inside the second cooling chamber 12B. And the process of the said vacuum cooling process a2 is started with respect to the to-be-processed goods W2.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 20, in the same manner as in the case of the article to be processed W1 and the article to be processed W2, the third article to be processed W3 is arranged inside the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, A fourth article W4 to be processed is placed inside the two-heating carburizing chamber 10B. That is, the transport unit 28 is moved to a position where the workpiece input unit 20 is disposed (step S27), and the inside of the transport unit 28 is brought to atmospheric pressure (step S28). Next, the processed product W3 is received from the processed product input unit 20 into the transport unit 28 (step S29). Next, the inside of the transfer unit 28 is evacuated, the transfer unit 28 is moved to a position where the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is disposed (step S30), and the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is coupled to the transfer unit 28 ( Step S31). Next, the article W3 to be processed is transferred from the transfer unit 28 to the first heated carburizing chamber 10A (step S32), and the first heated carburizing chamber 10A and the transfer unit 28 are separated (step S33). In this way, the article to be processed W3 is arranged inside the first heating carburizing chamber 10A. And the process of the said vacuum carburizing process process a1 is started with respect to the to-be-processed goods W3.

  Next, the transport unit 28 is moved to a position where the article input unit 20 is disposed (step S34), and the pressure inside the transport unit 28 is changed to atmospheric pressure (step S35). Next, the processed product W4 is received from the processed product input unit 20 into the transport unit 28 (step S36). Next, the inside of the transfer unit 28 is evacuated, the transfer unit 28 is moved to a position where the second heating carburizing chamber 10B is disposed (step S37), and the second heating carburizing chamber 10B is coupled to the transfer unit 28 ( Step S38). Next, the article W4 to be processed is transferred from the transfer unit 28 to the second heated carburizing chamber 10B (step S39), and the second heated carburizing chamber 10B and the transfer unit 28 are separated (step S40). In this way, the article to be processed W4 is arranged inside the second heating carburizing chamber 10B. And the process of the said vacuum carburizing process process a1 is started with respect to to-be-processed goods W4.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 21, the processing (cooling) of the vacuum cooling step a2 is completed on the workpiece W1 in the first cooling chamber 12A, and the inside of the first cooling chamber 12A is set to atmospheric pressure (step) S41). Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the outlet door 40 of the first cooling chamber 12A is opened (step S42). Next, as shown in FIG. 23, the workpiece W1 is extracted from the first cooling chamber 12A to the first workpiece extraction unit 22A (step S43). In this way, the workpiece W1 cooled in the first cooling chamber 12A is extracted to the outside of the first cooling chamber 12A from the side opposite to the side where the first heating carburizing chamber 10A is arranged in the X-axis direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 24, the outlet door 40 of the first cooling chamber 12A is closed, and the inside of the first cooling chamber 12A is evacuated by the cooling chamber vacuum pump 18 (step S44). And the to-be-processed product W1 extracted to 22 A of 1st to-be-processed products extraction parts is conveyed by the induction hardening machine not shown after that. And the said induction hardening process a3 is performed with respect to the to-be-processed goods W1. Alternatively, the first processed product extraction unit 22A and the induction hardening machine may be directly connected, and the processed product W1 may be automatically conveyed from the first processed product extraction unit 22A to the induction hardening machine.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 25, the processed product W2 is extracted (discharged) to the second processed product extraction unit 22B in the same manner as the processed product W1. That is, the processing (cooling) of the vacuum cooling step a2 is completed on the workpiece W2 in the second cooling chamber 12B, and the inside of the second cooling chamber 12B is set to atmospheric pressure (step S45). Next, the outlet door 40 of the second cooling chamber 12B is opened (step S46), and the workpiece W2 is extracted from the second cooling chamber 12B to the second workpiece extraction unit 22B (step S47), and the second cooling is performed. The chamber 12B is evacuated (step S48). And the to-be-processed product W2 extracted to the 2nd to-be-processed product extraction part 22B is conveyed by the induction hardening machine not shown after that. And the said induction hardening process a3 is performed with respect to the to-be-processed goods W2. In addition, the 2nd to-be-processed product extraction part 22B and the induction hardening machine may be directly connected, and the to-be-processed product W2 may be automatically conveyed to the induction hardening machine from the 2nd to-be-processed product extraction part 22B. In addition, similarly to the to-be-processed product W1 and the to-be-processed product W2, the process of the vacuum cooling process a2 and the process of the induction hardening process a3 are performed also to the to-be-processed product W3 and the to-be-processed product W4.

  In step S16 and step S17, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12A are combined, and in step S22 and step S23, the second heating carburizing chamber 10B and the transfer unit are combined. The method of combining the 28 and the second cooling chamber 12B may be changed as follows. In the following description regarding FIGS. 26 to 32, a method of combining the first heating carburizing chamber 10 </ b> A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12 </ b> A will be described as a representative. The same applies to the method of coupling the transport unit 28 and the second cooling chamber 12B, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 26, by moving the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A toward the transfer unit 28 in the X-axis direction, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first One cooling chamber 12A may be combined.

  Alternatively, for example, first, as shown in FIG. 27, the transfer unit 28 is moved toward the first heated carburizing chamber 10A to combine the first heated carburizing chamber 10A and the transfer unit 28, and then as shown in FIG. The first heated carburizing chamber 10A and the transfer unit 28 may be moved toward the first cooling chamber 12A, and the first heated carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12A may be combined.

  Alternatively, for example, as shown in FIG. 29, first, the transport unit 28 is moved toward the first cooling chamber 12A, and the first cooling chamber 12A and the transport unit 28 are combined, and then combined as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the first cooling chamber 12A and the transfer unit 28 may be moved toward the first heating carburizing chamber 10A to combine the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12A.

  Alternatively, for example, first, the first cooling chamber 12A is moved toward the transfer unit 28 as shown in FIG. 31, and the first cooling chamber 12A and the transfer unit 28 are combined, and then combined as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the first cooling chamber 12A and the transfer unit 28 may be moved toward the first heating carburizing chamber 10A to combine the first heating carburizing chamber 10A, the transfer unit 28, and the first cooling chamber 12A.

  According to the first embodiment as described above, a plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of heating carburizing chambers and cooling chambers arranged to face each other across the rail 26 on which the transport unit 28 moves are provided along the rails 26. Has been placed. That is, a plurality of heating carburizing chambers (first heating carburizing chamber 10A and second heating carburizing chamber 10B) and a plurality of cooling chambers (first cooling chamber 12A and second cooling chamber 12B) are arranged in the X-axis direction with the rail 26 interposed therebetween. Are arranged opposite to each other. And the conveyance unit 28 can move the rail 26, and can convey the to-be-processed goods W1-W4 to 10A of 1st heating carburizing chambers, and the 2nd heating carburizing chamber 10B. Furthermore, the transfer unit 28 can transfer the articles W1 to W4 from the first heating carburizing chamber 10A to the first cooling chamber 12A, and the article W1 to be processed from the second heating carburizing chamber 10B to the second cooling chamber 12B. ~ W4 can be transported.

  In this way, the workpieces W1 to W4 are transported in the Y-axis direction by one transport unit 28 and transported to each heating carburizing chamber, or the workpieces W1 to W4 are transported in the X-axis direction and heated. It can be transferred from the carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber. Therefore, the number of transfer units 28 can be reduced, so that the heat treatment facility 1 can be downsized. Therefore, equipment can be efficiently arranged within a limited site such as a factory, so that space efficiency is improved. In addition, space efficiency is improved because the workpiece input unit 20, the first workpiece extraction unit 22A, and the second workpiece extraction unit 22B can be freely arranged.

  Further, in the X-axis direction, the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the first cooling chamber 12A are disposed to face each other with the rail 26 interposed therebetween, and the second heating carburizing chamber 10B and the second cooling chamber 12B are opposed to each other with the rail 26 interposed therebetween. Are arranged. Then, after the vacuum carburizing process is performed on the workpieces W1 to W4 in the heating carburizing chamber (the first heating carburizing chamber 10A and the second heating carburizing chamber 10B), the workpieces W1 to W4 are heated by the transfer unit 28. It is transferred from the carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber (the first cooling chamber 12A and the second cooling chamber 12B).

  Thereby, the to-be-processed goods W1-W4 which performed the vacuum carburizing process can be rapidly conveyed to a cooling chamber, and can be cooled. Therefore, the carbon introduced into the surfaces of the products to be processed W1 to W4 is prevented from diffusing into the products to be processed W1 to W4, and the surface carbon concentration on the surfaces of the products to be processed W1 to W4 is greatly reduced. Can be prevented. Therefore, it is possible to increase the hardness and strength of the surfaces of the articles to be processed W1 to W4.

  In addition, the heated carburizing chamber, the transfer unit 28, and the cooling chamber are combined to make the inside of the heated carburizing chamber, the inside of the transfer unit 28, and the inside of the cooling chamber evacuated, and then the workpieces W1 to W1 are processed by the transfer unit 28. W4 is transferred from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber.

  Therefore, the articles to be processed W1 to W4 subjected to the vacuum carburizing process can be quickly conveyed to the cooling chamber and cooled. Therefore, the carbon introduced into the surfaces of the products to be processed W1 to W4 is more reliably suppressed from diffusing inside the products to be processed W1 to W4, and the surface carbon concentration on the surfaces of the products to be processed W1 to W4 is greatly reduced. It can prevent more reliably. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably increase the hardness and strength of the surfaces of the products W1 to W4. Moreover, since the inside of the heating carburizing chamber, the inside of the transfer unit 28, and the inside of the cooling chamber are in a vacuum state, it is possible to prevent the products W1 to W4 from being oxidized.

  In addition, after the heated carburizing chamber is moved toward the transfer unit 28 in the X-axis direction and the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit 28 are combined, the combined heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit 28 are changed to the cooling chamber in the X-axis direction. The heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit 28, and the cooling chamber are coupled by moving the heating carburizing chamber. Thus, since it is only necessary to move the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit 28 in one direction in the X-axis direction, the mechanism and control method for moving the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit 28 can be simplified. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the structure of the facility and reduce the cost.

  Alternatively, the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit 28, and the cooling chamber may be coupled by moving the cooling chamber toward the transfer unit 28 while moving the heated carburizing chamber toward the transfer unit 28. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the time for combining the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit 28 and the cooling chamber. Therefore, the time required for heat treatment can be shortened.

  In addition, the products to be processed W1 to W4 cooled in the cooling chamber are processed from the side opposite to the side where the heated carburizing chamber is arranged in the X-axis direction (first processed product extraction unit 22A or second processed product). Extracted to the outside of the cooling chamber by the processed product extraction unit 22B). In this way, the products to be processed W1 to W4 are extracted from the cooling chamber as they are conveyed along the X-axis direction. Thereby, space efficiency can be improved further. Moreover, the combination of the arrangement position with the induction hardening machine (not shown) which performs induction hardening with respect to to-be-processed goods can be performed efficiently.

  Further, in the first heated carburizing chamber 10A and the second heated carburizing chamber 10B, the articles to be processed W1 to W4 are set so that the surface carbon concentrations of the articles to be processed W1 to W4 are high (for example, 0.9% or more). Is subjected to vacuum carburization. Thus, the heat treatment facility 1 is used as a facility for performing the heat treatment of this embodiment. Thereby, the heat treatment of the present embodiment can be performed while reducing the size of the heat treatment equipment and improving the space efficiency.

<Example 2>
Next, Example 2 will be described. In the following description, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different points are mainly described. The configuration of the heat treatment facility 2 of the second embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in the positions of the first processed product extraction unit 22A and the second processed product extraction unit 22B. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 33, the first cooling chamber 12A, the first processed product extraction unit 22A, the second cooling chamber 12B, and the second processed product extraction unit 22B are arranged in this order in the Y-axis direction. Arranged so that.

  Therefore, the operation of the heat treatment facility 2 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the heat treatment process by the heat treatment equipment 2 of the second embodiment, showing only different parts from the above-mentioned FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, and showing the continuation from step S40 in detail. ing. Moreover, FIGS. 35-45 is an arrangement | positioning drawing of each structure part of the heat processing equipment 2 for every heat processing process of Example 2. FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 36, the transfer unit 28 is coupled to the first cooling chamber 12A from the state where the articles to be processed are arranged in all the heated carburizing chambers and cooling chambers as shown in FIG. 35 (step S51). Next, as shown in FIG. 37, the processing (cooling) of the vacuum cooling step a2 is completed on the workpiece W1 in the first cooling chamber 12A, and the second door 36 and the first cooling chamber of the transport unit 28 are completed. The door 42 of 12A is opened and the 1st cooling chamber 12A and the conveyance unit 28 are connected (step S52). Next, as shown in FIG. 38, the workpiece W1 is transferred from the first cooling chamber 12A to the transfer unit 28 (step S53).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 39, the second door 36 of the transfer unit 28 and the door 42 of the first cooling chamber 12A are closed, the first cooling chamber 12A is moved, and the first cooling chamber 12A and the transfer unit 28 are moved. Are separated (step S54). Next, as shown in FIG. 40, the transport unit 28 is moved to a position where the first workpiece extraction unit 22A is disposed (step S55). Next, as shown in FIG. 41, the inside of the transport unit 28 is set to atmospheric pressure (step S56). Next, as shown in FIG. 42, the second door 36 of the transport unit 28 is opened, and the processed product W1 is transferred to the first processed product extraction unit 22A (step S57).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 43, the second door 36 of the transport unit 28 is closed (step S58). Next, as shown in FIG. 44, the inside of the transport unit 28 is evacuated and moved (step S59). And the to-be-processed product W1 extracted to 22 A of 1st to-be-processed products extraction parts is conveyed by the induction hardening machine not shown after that. And the said induction hardening process a3 is performed with respect to the to-be-processed goods W1.

  Next, as in the case of the product to be processed W1, as shown in FIG. 45, the product to be processed W2 is transported to the second product to be processed extraction unit 22B. That is, the transport unit 28 is coupled to the second cooling chamber 12B (step S60). Next, the processing (cooling) of the vacuum cooling step a2 is completed on the workpiece W2 in the second cooling chamber 12B, and the second cooling chamber 12B and the transfer unit 28 are communicated (Step S61). W2 is transferred from the second cooling chamber 12B to the transfer unit 28 (step S62). Next, the second cooling chamber 12B and the transport unit 28 are separated (step S63), and the transport unit 28 is moved to a position where the second processed product extraction unit 22B is disposed (step S64). Next, the inside of the transfer unit 28 is set to atmospheric pressure (step S65), and the processed product W2 is transferred to the second processed product extraction unit 22B (step S66). Next, the second door 36 of the transport unit 28 is closed (step S67), and the inside of the transport unit 28 is evacuated and moved (step S68). The article to be processed W2 extracted to the second article to be processed extraction unit 22B in this manner is then conveyed to an induction hardening machine (not shown). And the said induction hardening process a3 is performed with respect to the to-be-processed goods W2.

  In the second embodiment as described above, the same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained. Thus, the arrangement positions of the first processed product extraction unit 22A and the second processed product extraction unit 22B can be freely set.

<Example 3>
Next, Example 3 will be described. In the following description, components equivalent to those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different points are mainly described. As shown in FIG. 46, the heat treatment facility 3 according to the third embodiment includes an induction hardening machine 44 that performs the induction hardening step a3 on the workpieces W1 to W4. A plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms and an induction hardening machine 44 are arranged side by side along the longitudinal direction of the rail 26 in the Y-axis direction. And the conveyance unit 28 can convey the to-be-processed goods W1-W4 from the 1st cooling chamber 12A or the 2nd cooling chamber 12B to the induction hardening machine 44 by moving the rail 26. FIG. In this way, the induction hardening machine 44 is incorporated in the heat treatment line. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide a path (space) for transporting the workpiece to the induction hardening machine, and space can be saved. Therefore, the space efficiency is further improved as compared with the first and second embodiments. In addition, the number of man-hours required for transportation can be eliminated.

  In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 46, although it becomes the specification which added the induction hardening machine 44 to the heat treatment equipment 1 of Example 1, it is not limited to this, The induction hardening machine is added to the heat treatment equipment 2 of Example 2. It is good also as a specification which added 44.

  According to the third embodiment as described above, in addition to the effects of the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The heat treatment facility 3 according to the third embodiment includes an induction hardening machine 44 that performs induction hardening on the workpieces W1 to W4. And the heating carburization cooling mechanism and the induction hardening machine 44 are arrange | positioned along with the rail 26 about the Y-axis direction. In this way, the induction hardening machine 44 is incorporated in the heat treatment line of the heat treatment equipment 3. This further improves space efficiency.

  It should be noted that the above-described embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In Examples 1 to 3, the example of performing the heat treatment of the present example by the heat treatment facilities 1 to 3 has been shown. However, the heat treatment facilities 1 to 3 are not limited to this, and other carburizing treatments (for example, The present invention can also be applied to a normal carburizing heat treatment in which a high concentration is not required as the surface carbon concentration of the article to be processed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat processing equipment 2 Heat processing equipment 3 Heat processing equipment 10A 1st heating carburizing chamber 10B 2nd heating carburizing chamber 12A 1st cooling chamber 12B 2nd cooling chamber 14 Conveyance part 22A 1st to-be-processed product extraction part 22B 2nd to-be-processed product extraction part 28 Transport unit 32 First door of transport unit 34 Door of first heating carburizing chamber 36 Second door of transport unit 38 Entrance door of cooling chamber 40 Exit door of cooling chamber 42 Cooling Chamber door 44 Induction hardening machine a1 Vacuum carburizing process a2 Vacuum cooling process a3 Induction hardening process W1 Processed product W2 Processed product W3 Processed product W4 Processed product

Claims (9)

A heated carburizing chamber that heats the article to be treated and performs a vacuum carburizing process on the article to be treated; a cooling chamber that cools the article to be treated that has undergone the vacuum carburizing process; and In a heat treatment facility having a transport unit that transports to a chamber and transports from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber,
A plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of the heating carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber, which are arranged to face each other across the moving path on which the transport unit moves, are arranged along the moving path,
The transport unit is capable of transporting the article to be processed to each of the heating carburizing chambers of each of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms arranged in a plurality by moving the moving path, and in each of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms, The article to be processed can be transported from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by In the heat treatment equipment according to claim 1,
After carrying out the vacuum carburizing treatment on the article to be treated in the heating carburizing chamber, conveying the article to be treated from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber by the transport unit;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by In the heat treatment facility according to claim 2,
In the state where the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit, and the cooling chamber are combined and the inside of the heating carburizing chamber, the inside of the transfer unit, and the inside of the cooling chamber are evacuated, the processing target is processed by the transfer unit. Conveying the product from the heated carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by In the heat treatment facility of claim 3,
By moving the heated carburizing chamber toward the transfer unit and combining the heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit, and then moving the combined heated carburizing chamber and the transfer unit toward the cooling chamber. , Combining the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit and the cooling chamber;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by In the heat treatment facility of claim 3,
Combining the heating carburizing chamber, the transfer unit and the cooling chamber by moving the heating carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber respectively toward the transfer unit;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by The heat treatment equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Extracting the workpiece cooled in the cooling chamber from the side opposite to the side where the heated carburizing chamber is disposed to the outside of the cooling chamber;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by The heat treatment equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The heating carburizing chamber is configured to perform the vacuum carburizing treatment on the article to be treated such that a surface carbon concentration of the article to be treated is 0.9% or more;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by The heat treatment equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Having an induction hardening machine for induction hardening to the article to be treated;
The heating carburizing and cooling mechanism and the induction hardening machine are arranged side by side along the moving path,
The transport unit is capable of transporting the article to be processed to the induction hardening machine by moving the moving path;
Heat treatment equipment characterized by A heated carburizing chamber that heats the article to be treated and performs a vacuum carburizing process on the article to be treated; a cooling chamber that cools the article to be treated that has undergone the vacuum carburizing process; and In a heat treatment method using a transport unit that transports to a chamber and transports from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber,
A plurality of heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms including a pair of the heating carburizing chamber and the cooling chamber, which are arranged to face each other across the moving path on which the transport unit moves, are arranged along the moving path,
The transport unit transports the article to be processed to each of the heating carburizing chambers of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanism arranged in plural by moving along the moving path, and the transport unit is configured to each of the heating carburizing and cooling mechanisms. Conveying the article to be processed from the heating carburizing chamber to the cooling chamber,
A heat treatment method characterized by the above.

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