Abstract: A work transfer assembly including a transfer car movable along a path for transporting a workpiece carrier between separate processing stations positioned along the path. The car includes a push-pull chain made up of a plurality of links with one of the links defined by a pair of spaced support plates having upwardly extending support flanges interconnected by a shaft which rotatably supports a coupler member. The coupler member is a single unitary member having a pair of side plates interconnected by an abutment plate below which is an L-shaped plate defining a hook. The coupler member is rotatably supported for movement between a hook position with the hook in position for hooking a tray for removing the tray from a station and an abutment position with the abutment plate in position for abutting the tray for pushing the tray into the station.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace having a single chamber in which a workpiece is supported and heat treated. A unique cooling system is designed for adaption with the low pressure/high volume radial flow fan which is positioned interiorly of the furnace adjacent the vertically uppermost portion of the chamber. The system includes an exhaust opening in the top of the chamber and a plurality of small openings strategically located in the lower half of the chamber for improving the uniformity of the flow pattern of cooled gas circulated upwardly through the chamber for cooling a workpiece positioned in the chamber.