A load transport mechanism for moving a heat treating load in a multi-station heat treating system is disclosed. The transport mechanism has a compact construction that allows it to fit in a centrally located stationary transport chamber. The transport chamber is adapted to provide ready access to multiple treating chambers arrayed around the chamber. The transport mechanism includes a load translation mechanism for moving the load linearly and a load rotation mechanism for rotating the load within the transport chamber. A multi-station heat treating system having a centrally located quenching chamber that includes the load transport mechanism is also disclosed.

A support rack can include a first component comprising a ceramic material and a second component comprising a ceramic material. The first component can intersect at least one wall of the second component and the first and second components can be coupled via a ceramic weld. A method of making a support rack can include providing a first component comprising a sintered ceramic material, providing a second component comprising an un-sintered or partially-sintered ceramic material, arranging the first and second component so that the first component intersects at least one wall of the second component, sinter bonding the first and second components together to form a ceramic weld at the intersection. In an embodiment, the support rack can be a piece of kiln furniture.

A method for forming large titanium parts includes forming bends into a titanium plate for form a bent part. The bent part is then roll-formed to form contours into the bent part. The surfaces of the contoured part are rough-machined, and the part is then secured to a bladed form fixture. The bladed form fixture comprises a plurality of header boards that secure the part to the fixture. The fixture part is placed in a thermal vacuum furnace and a stress-relieving operation is performed. The part is removed from the fixture and final machining takes place.

Techniques for using a pin array to support a 3D printed object during sintering are disclosed. An example method includes adjusting pins of a pin array to provide support for a bottom surface of the 3D printed object, and placing the 3D printed object on the pin array. The method also includes placing the 3D printed object and pin array in a sintering oven, and heating the 3D printed object in the sintering oven to sinter the 3D printed object while being supported by the pin array.

A transport trough, in particular for a continuous furnace for transporting and heating of chemical substances, includes a flat bottom, and a circumferential frame which, together with the bottom, forms a trough-shaped cavity for holding the chemical substances, wherein the frame is connected to the bottom in a non-destructively detachable manner.

In various embodiments, apparatuses for receiving and supporting one or more components during processing thereof at process temperatures greater than approximately 1000° C. feature refractory metal shelves separated by refractory metal support posts.

Techniques for using a pin array to support a 3D printed object during sintering are disclosed. An example method includes adjusting pins of a pin array to provide support for a bottom surface of the 3D printed object, and placing the 3D printed object on the pin array. The method also includes placing the 3D printed object and pin array in a sintering oven, and heating the 3D printed object in the sintering oven to sinter the 3D printed object while being supported by the pin array.

A method for forming large titanium parts includes forming bends into a titanium plate for form a bent part. The bent part is then roll-formed to form contours into the bent part. The surfaces of the contoured part are rough-machined, and the part is then secured to a bladed form fixture. The bladed form fixture comprises a plurality of header boards that secure the part to the fixture. The fixture part is placed in a thermal vacuum furnace and a stress-relieving operation is performed. The part is removed from the fixture and final machining takes place.

The invention relates to a refractory container 1 for use in a furnace for heat treatment of workpieces, comprising a mat 5 of long fibers that are embedded in a ceramic shell, with the mat 5 being shaped into a container that forms a receiving space for workpieces, and to a green body of such a container 1. Furthermore, advantageous uses of the container 1 as well as a method for manufacturing a green body or container 1 according to the invention are specified.

Disclosed is a tool system for disposing parts therein that are intended to undergo a thermal treatment, including a plurality of elementary components which can be assembled together, each component being made of a material suitable for its function, in particular blocks made of graphite and beams made of composite material.