AXLE SPINDLE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

AXLE SPINDLE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD Apparatus and a method disclosed for forming an axle spindle from a hollow axle blank incorporate a hollow punch having a metallic body with an inner work surface defining a work opening and a mandrel fixed within the work opening projecting toward an open end thereof from a closed end of the opening. During forming, the punch is moved relative to the axle blank in the direction the mandrel projects so that the mandrel is received within the hollow axle blank as the work surface of the punch body forms the blank about the mandrel to provide a spindle. Preferably, several punches of this type are utilized to complete the spindle forming process on the axle blank. Each punch preferably has an elongated annular shape with a round inner work surface and a round outer surface on the mandrel so that the formed spindle is of a round shape. One of the punches which causes outward material movement has an undercut on its mandrel to facilitate punch withdrawal. The forming is best performed by a hot forging operation on a heated axle blank end and the hollow punch body has a sufficient length so it extends past the heated portion of the blank end before deformation begins. A pair of cooperable gripper dies include gripping portions for locating the axle blank during the forging and define an elongated opening with a round cross section for slidably receiving and guiding the punch body during the movement that forges the axle spindle. A lubrication passage in the punch supplies a lubricant between the punch body work surface and the mandrel.