摘要 |
A method and an apparatus for the heat treatment of a workpiece, particularly an outer race member of a universal joint, having a cavity formed therein. The apparatus includes a horizontally disposed base and at least one elongated vertically disposed post extending upwardly therefrom with a passage extending at least partially longitudinally therethrough. The workpiece is mounted on the elongated vertically disposed post by insertion of the upper end of the elongated vertically disposed post into the cavity, the passage providing a venting of the cavity during the heat treatment operation. The method provides for mounting the outer race member to the upper end of an elongated vertically disposed post by insertion of the upper end of the post into the cavity of the workpiece, heating the workpiece to a predetermined temperature level, communicating the cavity in the workpiece with the environment external to the workpiece by a passage means formed in the elongated vertically disposed post, and quenching the workpiece with a cooling fluid to rapidly cool the outer race member.
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