SINTERED MECHANICAL COMPONENTS: HOW TO DESIGN FORMS

摘要

To explain the lines to follow when designing parts to be produced by powder metallurgy, some indications are given, focusing on powder behaviour during compaction and on tool requirements. The various items that define the optimum shape of PM (powder metallurgy) parts are listed and described. Some typical cases of original shape and corresponding improved solution are presented. A special attention is given to gear design, role of production volumes, modulation of the density, aimed at reaching the optimum balance between part weight and performance. Some examples of PM oriented design are presented. It is confirmed that the possibility to get complicated shapes at competitive cost and the high degree of material utilization are among the main advantages of PM technology for many different applications to the mass production industries.