Method of making a ring

Abstract

A method of making a ring comprising cutting a raw material stock to a predetermined length, cutting a slit through the raw material stock along its length to form a blank, inserting the blank into a tool, expanding the middle of the slit while simultaneously applying a compressive force to the ends of the blank, and expanding the middle of the slit until the blank is round.

1 . A method of making a ring comprising:
 cutting a raw material stock to a predetermined length;   cutting a slit through the raw material stock along its length to form a blank;   inserting the blank into a tool;   expanding the middle of the slit while simultaneously applying a compressive force to the ends of the blank; and   expanding the middle of the slit until the blank is round.   
     
     
         2 . The method as in  claim 1  further comprising supporting the blank in a direction that is normal to the simultaneously applied compressive force. 
     
     
         3 . The method as in  claim 1  further comprising cutting a radius at each end of the slit. 
     
     
         4 . The method as in  claim 1  further comprising:
 ejecting the formed blank from the tool; and   finishing the formed blank to a final size and form.   
     
     
         5 . The method as in  claim 1  further comprising supporting the blank to prevent an axial deformation that is normal to the direction of expansion of the slit.