Die quench machine and method

摘要

The invention is concerned with a horizontally closing die quenching apparatus and with a method for die quenching. The apparatus comprises a pair of relatively movable opposed substantially vertical platens each supporting a plurality of die blocks, the die blocks each having an internal cavity and generally opposed outer surfaces for receiving and substantially surrounding a plurality of first selected portions of a work piece when the platens are moved together. The die blocks also include a plurality of relatively small fluid passageways extending through the opposed surfaces thereof the passageways providing fluid communication with the cavities within the die blocks. A plurality of opposed fixtures are provided movable together relative to the platens for holding the work piece at its ends between the die blocks and means are provided for controllably pressuring the fixtures towards one another. The die quenching method comprises holding a heated work piece under a pressure insufficient to cause distortion thereof between a pair of horizontally separated fixtures, forming a chamber about the work piece with die blocks extending thereinto supporting the work piece and preventing distortion thereof, substantially simultaneously increasing the pressure between the fixtures sufficiently to prevent the work piece from distorting by forcing them further apart and spraying a quench liquid through a plurality of small passageways in the die blocks on to first selected portions of the work piece and then flooding the chamber with quench liquid.