Metal deforming – By use of tool acting during relative rotation between tool... – During rotation of work
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-10-09
Larson, Lowell A. (Department: 3725)
Metal deforming
By use of tool acting during relative rotation between tool...
During rotation of work
C072S091000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298702
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to methods for forming metal workpieces and, more particularly, to methods for forming seamless tubular workpieces, such as wheel rim components.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Seamless aluminum wheel rims for automobiles and other vehicles have become very popular. Such seamless wheel rims are generally held to be both structurally and aesthetically superior to conventional wheel rims.
Unfortunately, previously-known methods of making seamless wheel rims are unduly expensive, because such seamless wheel rims are either extruded or machined using external mandrels which produce large amounts of scrap metal waste.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of forming seamless wheel rims without the problems associated with prior art processes.
SUMMARY
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a method and an apparatus for forming a hollow annular work piece, such as a wheel rim component. The method comprises the steps of (a) providing a hollow mandrel with a forward end, a rearward end, a longitudinal axis and an internal surface typography, the forward end having a substantially circular cross-section with an internal diameter, the internal surface typography being the reverse of the desired typography, (b) providing a disc-shaped metallic blank having a centralized aperture, the centralized aperture having a center, (c) securing the blank to the forward end of the mandrel such that the center of the centralized aperture is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the mandrel, and (d) rotating the mandrel about the longitudinal axis of the mandrel while pressing the blank against the interior surface of the mandrel with a spinning roller, the spinning roller having a smooth rounded surface, the pressing of the blank against the interior surface of the mandrel being continued until the blank takes on a hollow annular shape having an external surface with the desired typography.
REFERENCES:
patent: 491188 (1893-02-01), Polte
patent: 1809605 (1931-06-01), Sauzedde
patent: 2398438 (1946-04-01), Metzner
patent: 1 287 549 (1969-01-01), None
patent: 245 137 (1987-04-01), None
patent: 60-102240 (1985-06-01), None
Advanced Metalforming Technologies, Inc.
Anderson Denton L.
Larson Lowell A.
Sheldon & Mak
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