System and Method for Drying of Internal Surfaces
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a system and method for drying of work pieces, and more particularly, to a system and an improved method for drying of an internal surface of components/parts having holes.
Background of the invention
Camshafts have been traditionally made by either casting or forging. Recently there has been an introduction of an assembled camshaft, in which cams are assembled on a tubular shaft. Manufacturing processes cause coolant/lubricant and dirt to accumulate inside the tube. Systems for dry cleaning of work pieces are used to remove residues of the machining processes. The prior art methods for dry cleaning of work pieces include use of jets or a pressurized air and vacuum, sometimes using molds and internal lances. However, these methods require more energy to provide an air volume having required pressure to remove the residues from the surface of the work piece. Also, special molds for part variants are difficult to make and involve higher replacement cost.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a system and method for drying of internal surfaces that requires less tooling for specific part variants.
Objects of the invention
An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method of drying of internal surfaces, specifically, of the tubular components having holes that require

less tooling for specific part variants.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple cost effective mechanism both for pressurizing and vacuum suction for camshafts that makes the solution economical.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the present invention discloses a system for drying of internal surfaces of components having holes. The system comprises a first clamping unit, a second clamping unit, a plurality of arms and a vacuum suction. The first clamping unit and the second clamping unit are capable of holding and clamping the component. The plurality of arms is positioned between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit. The plurality of arms includes a plurality of shoes positioned therein such that the plurality of shoes axially receives the holes of the component. A pressurized air is supplied to the plurality of shoes for a predetermined period of time and then directed into the holes of the component thereby drying the internal surfaces of the component. The vacuum suction unit is capable of supplying vacuum suction to the component to suck out the air thus drying the component internally.
In another aspect, the present invention discloses a method of drying of internal surfaces of components having holes. The method involves loading the component into the drying station. The component is loaded into the drying station either manually or automatically. The method further involves holding and clamping the component between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit. The method furthermore involves supplying a pressurized air to the plurality of shoes for a predetermined period of time and directing the pressurized air into the holes of the

component. The method moreover involves providing vacuum suction to the component through the vacuum suction unit to suck out the air thus drying the component internally. The method further involves stopping the supply of pressurized air and vacuum suction after the predetermined period of time and opening the plurality of arms of the system and unloading the component after complete drying.
Brief description of the drawings
The objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in accordance with the accompanying drawings wherein,
Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a system for drying of internal surfaces, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of figure 1 along A-A showing a pressure shoe and a component;
Figure 3a is a side perspective view of a camshaft;
Figure 3b is a cross sectional view of the camshaft of figure 3a showing presence of a hole;
Figure 4 shows a method of drying of the component by directing a pressurized air into the pressure shoe, in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method of drying of internal surfaces, in accordance

with the present invention.
Detailed description of the invention
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment.
The present invention provides an improved method for drying of internal surfaces specifically of the tubular components having holes for example, assembled camshafts that require less tooling for specific part variants. The method of the present invention provides a simple cost effective mechanism both for pressurizing and vacuum suction for camshafts that makes the solution economical.
This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.
Referring to figures 1 to 4, in one aspect, a system (100) for drying of internal surfaces in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. Specifically, the system (100) is designed for tubular components having holes like assembled camshaft:
The system (100) comprises a first clamping unit (12), a second clamping unit (14), a plurality of arms (16) and a vacuum suction unit (18) mounted on a base of a drying station (not shown).
The first clamping unit (12) and the second clamping unit (14) are capable of

holding and clamping a component (20) having holes (22) loaded into the drying station.
The plurality of arms (16) is positioned between the first clamping unit (12) and the second clamping unit (14). In an embodiment, the plurality of arms (16) is scissor type arms. The plurality of arms (16) includes a plurality of shoes (24) positioned therein such that the plurality of shoes (24) axially receives the holes (22) of the component (20). The surface of the plurality of shoes (24) seals the holes (22) of the component (20).
A pressurized air is supplied to the plurality of shoes (24) for a predetermined period of time and then directed into the holes (22) of the component (20) thereby drying the internal surfaces of the component (20). The vacuum suction unit (18) is capable of supplying vacuum suction to the component (20) to suck out the air thus drying the component (20) internally.
In another aspect, a method of drying (200) hereinafter ("the method (200)") of internal surfaces of tubular components, for example assembled camshaft, in accordance with the present invention is shown. However, it is understood that other components having holes can be used in alternative embodiments of the method (200). The method (200) is described in conjunction with the system (100) as shown in figure 5.
The method starts at step (110). At step (120), the method (200) involves loading the component (20) into the drying station. In an embodiment, the component (20) may be loaded into the drying station either manually or automatically.
At step (130), the method (200) involves holding and clamping the component (20)

between the first clamping unit (12) and the second clamping unit (14).
At step (140), the method (200) involves supplying a pressurized air to the plurality of shoes (24) as indicated by an arrow "X" in figure 4, for a predetermined period of time and then directing the pressurized air into the holes (22) of the component (20) to dry the internal surfaces thereof.
At step (150), the method (200) involves providing vacuum suction to the component (20) through the vacuum suction unit (18) to suck out the air thus drying the component (20) internally.
A+ step (160), the method (200) involves stoppiing the supply of pressurized air and vacuum suction after the predetermined period of time. The plurality of arms (16) of the system (100) is then opened.
At step (170), the method (200) involves unloading the component (20) after complete drying. The method (200) ends at step (180).
Advantages of the present invention
1. The system (100) and the method (200) provide a simple approach for internal drying of parts having holes.
2. The system (100) and the method (200) require less tooling for specific part variants as only the plurality of shoes (24) needs be replaced.
3. The system (100) and the method (200) use simple cost effective mechanisms both for pressurizing and vacuum suction for camshafts hence making the solution

economical.
The foregoing objects of the invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with prior art techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention described in the present embodiment. Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein; however, it is to be understood that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or matter. The embodiments of the invention as described above and the methods disclosed herein will suggest further modification and alterations to those skilled in the art. Such further modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We Claim:
1. A system for drying of internal surfaces of components having holes, the system comprising:
a first clamping unit and a second clamping unit, the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit being capable of holding and clamping the component;
a plurality of arms positioned between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit, the plurality of arms having a plurality of shoes positioned therein such that the plurality of shoes axially receives the holes of the component; and
a vacuum suction unit being capable of supplying vacuum suction to the component to suck out the air thus drying the component internally,
wherein, a pressurized air is supplied to the plurality of shoes for a predetermined period of time and then directed into the holes of the component thereby drying the internal surfaces of the component.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of arms is scissor type arms.
3. A method of drying of internal surfaces of components having holes using a system having a first clamping unit, a second clamping unit, a plurality of arms and a vacuum suction unit, the plurality of arms having a plurality of shoes, the method comprising the steps of:
loading the component into the drying station; holding and clamping the component between the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit;

supplying a pressurized air to the. plurality of shoes for a predetermined period of time and directing the pressurized air into the holes of the component;
providing vacuum suction to the component through the vacuum suction unit to suck out the air thus drying the component internally;
stopping the supply of the pressurized air and vacuum suction after the predetermined period of time and opening the plurality of arms of the system; and
unloading the component after complete drying.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the loading of the component into the drying station is carried out either manually or automatically.