Constrained quenching apparatus and heat treatment apparatus

A heat treatment apparatus comprising an induction heater disposed along a workpiece travel path, and a quenching apparatus disposed along the workpiece travel path and at substantially the same height as said induction heater, said quenching apparatus comprising:

• at least two dies removably mounted to one another, said at least two dies having inner surfaces which together define a workpiece cavity;
• a plurality of projections protruding inwardly from said inner surfaces of said at least two dies and defining a contour corresponding to a contour of a workpiece;
• wherein recesses are defined between said projections;
• wherein cooling liquid blow holes are formed in said at least two dies and open into said recesses;
• and
• wherein said at least two dies further include contact surfaces, respectively, for contacting one another when said at least two dies are mounted to one another, said contact surfaces constituting means for preventing substantial pressure from being exerted against the workpiece by said projections and for causing said projections to constrain the workpiece to prevent warping of the workpiece.