Hardening CV-joints with pick-up-technology

In this paper, a complete rethinking of induction hardening for CV joints (constant velocity joints) is introduced. The new machine concept is based on a pick-up principle for hardening these workpieces. The conventional hardening solution is characterized by high floor space requirements, sequentially processing the stem (shaft) hardening from one machine to another hardening the inner bowl of the bell, including complex workpiece handling systems. The new process combines these discreet operations into one machine set-up with inverted spindle and two inductor coils. The VLC 100-IH machine is a solution with minimum floor space required, hardening with one chuck and without flipping the part end-to-end, giving a high degree of flexibility, easy in-line integration, as well as short cycle times. We are describing the innovations for hardening CV joints with this combined process approach made possible by the inverted pick-up spindle and integrated part handling.