Multiple part compaction

Abstract

A compaction tool assembly is provided that uses multiple die cavities and a single compaction stroke for simultaneously forming multiple discrete powdered metal components. The tooling includes a plurality of punches and corresponding die cavities, and a single compaction stroke operates the punches to compact powdered metal contained by the die cavities to form the components. Preferably the punch pairs are arranged concentrically to balance compaction forces and die stresses.

1 . A tooling assembly for forming metal powder components comprising a plurality of punches operating during a single compaction stroke to compress metal powder contained by a plurality of corresponding die cavities to simultaneously produce a plurality of discrete metal powder components.  
   
   
       2 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said punches are concentrically arranged about a central core, and said parts are differently sized.  
   
   
       3 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said punches and said dies are arranged side-by-side.  
   
   
       4 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 3  wherein said parts are the same size.  
   
   
       5 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said punches are hydraulically controlled.  
   
   
       6 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 1  comprising a die platen for said corresponding die cavities, wherein said die platen comprises a plurality of die punches being moveable within said platen to vary the size of said die cavities.  
   
   
       7 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 6  wherein said die platen provides a substantially flush surface surrounding said die cavities, and said die punches are moveable to be aligned with said flush surface to facilitate removal of said parts from said tooling assembly.  
   
   
       8 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 7  comprising a pushing mechanism for removing said parts.  
   
   
       9 . A tooling assembly according to  claim 7  comprising a control system for controlling movement of said punches and said die punches.  
   
   
       10 . A compaction press comprising the tooling assembly of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . A method for simultaneously forming a plurality of discrete metal powder components comprising: 
 arranging a plurality of punches and a plurality of corresponding die cavities;    containing metal powder in said die cavities; and    operating said punches during a single compaction stroke to simultaneously compact said metal powder within said die cavities to produce said components.    
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said punches and said die cavities are arranged concentrically about a central core, and said parts are differently sized.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said punches and said dies are arranged side-by-side.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said parts are the same size.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said operating is hydraulically controlled.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said arranging comprises providing a die platen for said die cavities, said die platen comprising a plurality of die punches; and moving said die punches within said die platen to accommodate a predetermined amount of said metal powder.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16  wherein said die platen provides a substantially flush surface surrounding said die cavities, and said method comprises moving said die punches to be aligned with said flush surface to facilitate removal of said parts from said tooling assembly following said operating.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 17  comprising removing said parts using a pushing mechanism.  
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 17  comprising providing a control system for controlling movement of said die punches and said punches.  
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein said arranging is applied to a compaction press.