The SECO/WARWICK Group's UCM® 4D Quench® system is a vacuum heat-treatment process for individual quenching of component parts, like gears, shafts, bearing races, rings, etc., in standard or custom case- and through-hardening steels. The system operates under nitrogen atmosphere, and provides distortion control, with precision and repeatability.
The system consists of a vacuum heating chamber and a high-pressure nitrogen quench chamber, equipped with transport mechanisms. Parts are heated up to hardening temperature under vacuum in the heating chamber, which protects the part’s surface against oxidation or other unwanted metallurgical changes.
The high-pressure gas quenching system installed in the quenching/unloading chamber uses a proprietary arrangement of cooling nozzles that surround the part to ensure a uniform flow of cooling gas from all sides, and top and bottom (referred to as “3D” cooling.")
A table spins the part for more uniform quenching: the spinning motion is described as the fourth dimension of quenching. The cooling nozzle patterns can be adjusted to fit particular parts' sizes and shapes, and the entire nitrogen cooling system provides the equivalent of an oil quench with more uniform cooling, for repeatability, reduced distortion and high repeatability. No oil or specialized gases (e.g., helium) are required.
The single piece-flow method allows full integration into manufacturing cells and in-line production. It avoids the need for heat-treatment fixtures, cuts material logistics cost and time, and shortens the production cycle.
Learn more at www.secowarwick.com