Method of heat treating metal parts in an integrated continuous and batch furnace system

Abstract

An integrated continuous/batch furnace system for heat treating metal parts combines a continuous furnace system and a batch furnace system. The continuous furnace system includes a preheat furnace, a rotary carburizing furnace, an equalize/diffusion furnace, an oil quench, a press quench chamber and a slow cooling chamber. The batch furnace system includes a temper furnace, a carburize/quench/slow cool furnace, and a washer. A parts tray system for holding parts to be heat treated includes a parts tray for transporting parts through the continuous furnace system, and a parts tray assembly for transporting parts through the batch furnace system. The parts tray assembly includes two parts trays detachably coupled together with rigid U-shaped alloy chips. A method for heat treating trays of parts in an integrated continuous/batch furnace system includes determining whether to heat treat the parts with the continuous furnace system or the batch furnace system. Trays of parts to be treated by the continuous furnace system are individually loaded into the continuous furnace system. Trays of parts to be treated with the batch furnace system are connected together with clips and delivered into the batch furnace system. A method for heat treating trays of parts in an integrated continuous/batch furnace system including treating the parts in a continuous furnace system, and washing and tempering the parts in a batch furnace system. Two parts trays are clipped together prior to washing and tempering the parts.

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