DEVICE FOR MOLDING METALLIC THIN WALL SLEEVE OF SINGLE ANNULAR STRUCTURE WITH CENTRAL AXIS

摘要

Apparatus (22,22') for forming thin-wall sleeves (24) is disclosed as including a spring biaser (52) for tools (48) of the apparatus. A mandrel (36) and a tool housing (42) cooperate to mount the sleeve (24) for forming under the impetus of an actuator (54) that moves the tools (48) against the force of the spring biaser (52). Upon such tool movement, forming ends (50) of the tools form the sleeve (24) into circumferentially spaced recesses (40) of the mandrel to provide sleeve splines or teeth (56). The spring biaser (52) preferably includes a plurality of springs (92) mounted within associated spring openings (98) in the tool housing between tool slots (46) in which the tools (48) are supported for movement. In one embodiment, the forming is performed inwardly with the sleeve mounted about an internal mandrel. In another embodiment, the forming is performed outwardly with the sleeve mounted within an external mandrel.