Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for sequentially heat treating small parts processes the parts individually through a heat treatment process at a predetermined rate, so that each part is heat treated for a predetermined time and all parts are heat treated equally. A plurality of parts on pallets are arranged in a vertical stack in a heat treatment furnace, and parts are sequentially removed and inserted at the ends of the stack at predetermined intervals so that each part progresses from one end of the stack to the other. A vertical guide holds a plurality of parts in a vertical stack. The parts are sequentially removed and inserted at the ends of the stack so that each part progresses from one end of the stack to the other. The stack is lifted to facilitate removing and inserting parts by a slide having movable jaws for gripping and releasing a pallet. The slide is moved between a position aligning the pallet with the stack and a position moving the pallet outside the stack, and a blocking slide is inserted to immobilize the stack when parts are removed and inserted.

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First Claim