BEVEL AND HYPOID GEAR AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE

摘要

Bevel and hypoid gears are used in power transmissions including automotive applications. Provided is a net shaped bevel or hypoid gear having a generally annular gear body including a plurality of radially outwardly extending gear teeth formed from a generally annular blank made of powdered metal. Also provided is a method for manufacturing a net shaped bevel or hypoid gear including the steps of providing and optionally heat treating a generally ring-shaped or annular blank made of metal powder, then incrementally deforming the blank by orbitally forming or roll forming to produce a net shaped gear member with a plurality of outwardly extending gear teeth, which may be of a bevel or hypoid type.