Method and Equipment for Surface-Hardening Treatment of Steel Balls for a Ball Bearing

Author:  Toshinori Tsuro; Tatsuo Iwai; Isao Fujiwara
Source:  US Patent 5,950,469
Doc ID:  1999126
Year of Publication:  1999
Abstract:  
An apparatus for surface-hardening steel balls includes a container having projections protruding inwardly from and extending longitudinally along an inner wall; a support shaft having projections extending outwardly from and longitudinally along the support shaft; a container driving mechanism which rotates the container in one direction; and a support shaft driving mechanism which rotates the support shaft in an opposite direction. In operation, the container;s projections transfer the balls from a lower portion of the container to a higher portion where the balls are dropped to the lower portion while the support shaft;s projections strike the steel balls when the steel balls are dropping to the lower portion.