METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A COMPRESSION PRODUCT

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB94/01941 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 8, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 8, 1996 PCT Filed Sep. 7, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/07157 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 16, 1995A method of producing components by compressing powdered material in a hollow die includes the use of a sleeve in the die to reduce the pressure required to remove the product from the die after compression, and to reduce cracking in the product after spring-back upon release of the component. An elastically deformable sleeve having a cylindrical internal surface and conical external surface is inserted into a tapered aperture in a die plate so as to reduce elastically the internal diameter of the sleeve. The component is produced by compressing powdered material in the interior of the sleeve by upper and lower punches. The upper punch is then removed and the sleeve is partially removed with the product from the die, by movement against the direction of the taper. The interior dimension of the sleeve increases elastically and the product is then removed from the sleeve by raising the lower punch.