Patent · US Expired

Hardening equipment and hardening method

US6772041B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
4References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 24, 2002
Grant dateAug 3, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T483/17
  • WIPO fieldControl
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A nozzle holding means (13) having a nozzle (19) being free to eject laser beam from its top end is provided being free to move along a guide means among a plurality of machine tools. Nozzle holding means operation control means (6, 33) for controlling hardening operation on a workpiece by the nozzle are provided, and communication control means (6, 33) are provided for exchanging information necessary for hardening operation on a workpiece to be machined with each machine tool between the control means and a control means of each machine tool. The nozzle moves among the machine tools and hardening operation is performed on workpieces (29, 30) in the respective machine tools, thereby it is not necessary to provide a hardening unit for exclusive use every each machine tool, and it is possible to provide a hardening equipment having high working ratio.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.