APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROLL FORMING GEARS

摘要

A wrought or powder metal gear preform is mounted for rotation about a first axis and then driven in meshing engagement with a roll forming die supported for rotation about a second axis transverse to the first axis. The roll forming die includes a helical worm thread that moves radially as well as axially across the face of the preform teeth to displace the material of the preform. In the case of a powder metal preform, displacement of the material acts to densify the teeth, whereas in the case of a wrought preform the gear teeth are burnished. The preform and roll forming die are separately driven to control densification.