Abstract: Unloading apparatus for vacuum electric furnaces having a hostile environment is disclosed in which a compartment is provided to which work pieces are delivered from such a vacuum electric furnace, transferred from the furnace by movable supporting and transferrng arms which are normally in the hostile environment onto an elevator platform at a central location and then elevated for transfer to other equipment, all under vacuum. The movable arms are first raised and then turned by hudraulic actuators and the elevator platform is also positioned by a hydraulic actuator. The elevator platform and its enclosure are normally screened from radiant heat by a door which is swung from a vertical position for shielding to a horizontal position to permit access of the movable arms and the work pieces thereon to the elevator platform.

Abstract: A vacuum electric furnace is disclosed for operation with a hostile environment therein which may be above the melting temperature of most metals, other than refractory metals, with apparatus in the furnace for advancing the work, the advancing apparatus being a walking beam with provisions for protecting the exposed portions of the walking beam by the use of graphite and with work supporting buttons of molybdenum to prevent the work from reacting with the graphite at high temperatures, and with separation and shielding of portions of the walking beam from the hot zone and with liquid cooling of the shielded portions.

Abstract: A work support for vacuum electric furnaces is disclosed which supports a work piece in flat condition within close tolerances and which includes a plurality of spaced vertical pins with a heat sink through which the pins extend, the support being removable and remachinable to retain the desired flatness.