Apparatus and method for making a component an attachment molded thereon and an insert

Abstract

An apparatus and method for manufacturing an attachment including an attachment molded thereon and an insert is shown. The insert is treated so that the lubricant used while affixing the insert to the component does not seep into the insert. The component is processed and inserted into a mold, in which molding material is introduced. Because the lubricant did not seep into the insert, it is not squeezed out during the molding process and does not impede the flow of the molding material. The molding material forms the attachment, which is molded onto the component. The attachment has less defects than attachments molded onto the component using methods of the prior art.

1 . A method for making a component including an attachment molded thereon and an insert, the method comprising: 
 treating the insert to prevent lubricant used in a affixing step from entering into the insert;    the affixing step including affixing the insert to a hole formed in the component with a machine and lubricating the machine with the lubricant;    processing the component; and,    molding an attachment to the component.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the treating step further includes covering at least a portion of the insert with a coating.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the treating step further includes dipping the insert into a coating bath.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the treating step further includes covering at least a portion of the insert with a coating that is soluble in a molding material.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the treating step further includes covering at least a portion of the insert with a coating that includes zinc stearate.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further including the step of drying the insert.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the affixing step further includes staking the insert to the hole.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the processing step further includes washing the component, drying the component, applying adhesive to the component, and re-drying the component.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molding step further includes inserting the component within a mold that defines the attachment and introducing a molding material into the mold.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the molding step further includes dissolving or absorbing the coating with the molding material.  
   
   
       11 . A component manufactured by the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . A component comprising: 
 a component body;    a component perimeter integral with the component body, the component perimeter having a hole formed therein;    an insert being shaped to conform to the hole and being affixed to the hole, at least a portion of the insert being covered with a coating at a first point in time, wherein, when the coating covers the insert, the coating is configured to prevent lubricant from entering into the insert; and,    an attachment formed from a molding material and being molded onto the component perimeter, the molding material dissolving or absorbing the coating at a second point in time.    
   
   
       13 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein the component body further includes a windage tray body and the component perimeter includes a windage tray perimeter.  
   
   
       14 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein the hole is defined by a circle and the insert further includes a ring insert.  
   
   
       15 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein the component body and perimeter are formed from a first metal and the insert is formed from a second metal, the second metal being softer than the first metal.  
   
   
       16 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein the coating further includes a zinc stearate solution.  
   
   
       17 . The component of  claim 12 , wherein the molding material further includes a polyacrylate compound.  
   
   
       18 . A method for molding an attachment onto a component that includes a hole formed therein, the method comprising: 
 treating means for treating an insert so that a lubricant used by an affixing means cannot enter into the insert;    affixing means for affixing the insert to the hole formed in the component;    lubricating means for lubricating the affixing means with the lubricant;    processing means for processing the component; and,    molding means for molding the attachment to the component.    
   
   
       19 . The method for molding of  claim 18 , wherein the treating means further includes covering means for covering the insert with a coating.