Continuously formed annular laminated article and method for its manufacture

摘要

An apparatus and method for the production of relatively large diameter annular components, such as stator cores for electric motors, without excessive waste of material. In one embodiment, a first progressive die assembly forms a plurality of identical pole pieces each made of a plurality of individual stacked and interlocked laminations. The pole pieces, having protruding end portions, are loaded into a rotary carousel. A second progressive die assembly forms a continuous strip including a plurality of body segments connected via hinge portions disposed adjacent recesses between the body segments that are dimensioned to receive the protruding ends of the pole pieces. As the continuous strip is formed, it is wound about the rotary carousel with progressive pivoting of the body segments about the hinge portions to capture the protruding ends of the pole pieces within the recesses, with continued winding of the strip in a helical fashion around the rotary carousel continuing until a desired height is reached that is substantially equivalent to the height of the pole pieces. The strip is then cut, and the resulting annular part is welded at one or more locations to secure the components together.

主权项

1. A method of forming an annular article, comprising the steps of:
forming a plurality of pole pieces by forming, stacking, and interlocking a plurality of individual laminations in a first die assembly; loading the plurality of pole pieces onto a rotary carousel; forming a continuous strip in a second die assembly, the continuous strip including a plurality of body segments separated by gaps, the body segments connected via hinge portions; and rotating the carousel with concurrent winding of the strip around the carousel to progressively capture distal ends of the pole pieces within the gaps by pivoting the body segments about the hinge portions.