Patent ID: 8337645

Claim:
A method for heat treatment of metallic elements, including the steps of: arranging at least one metallic element (E) to be subjected to a heat treatment; arranging a containment chamber ( 3 ) for said metallic element (E), said chamber ( 3 ) including at least an access opening (A 1 ); heating said chamber ( 3 ) for bringing or maintaining the same at a predetermined temperature; transporting the metallic element (E) exiting or entering with respect to said chamber ( 3 ) by way of transporting a support element (V), loaded with said metallic element (E), exiting or entering with respect to said chamber ( 3 ) by acting from the outside of the chamber ( 3 ); wherein said step of transporting the metallic element (E) exiting or entering with respect to said chamber ( 3 ) includes the steps of: arranging a support element (V) for at least one metallic element (E) in a second position in which it is at least partly extracted form said respective chamber ( 3 ); positioning at least a metallic element (E) on the support element (V); moving the support element (V), loaded with said metallic element (E), into a first position, in which it is at least partly inserted within said respective chamber ( 3 ); wherein the step of positioning said metallic element (E) on the support element (V) includes the steps of: holding the metallic elements (E) at a predetermined height from a maneuvering area ( 13 d ); positioning said support element (V) in the second position in proximity of the maneuvering area ( 13 d ) and below said metallic element (E); lowering said metallic element (E) and abutting it on the support element (V), and wherein in the step of transporting the support element (V), loaded with said metallic element (E), exiting or entering with respect to said chamber ( 3 ), the support element (V) moves along a first guide surface ( 14 ) defining a transport direction (W) of said support element (V), and a gripping element ( 15 a ) movably and stably engages the support element (V), and slides along a pair of second guide surfaces ( 17 ), parallel to said first guide surface ( 14 ), for moving the support element (V).